Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Places
  4. / North America
  5. / United States

by Anonymous on December 21st, 2006

Anonymous

Question

Help answer this question below.

Can an american citizen born outside the united states run for president?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 14 helpful answers below.

  • by Perryman on December 21st, 2006

    Perryman

    No they cannot.

    One of the most complicated areas of US citizenship law involves the passage of citizenship to children born outside the US to one or more US citizen parents. While naturalized US citizens are treated like natural born citizens, which includes those who are deemed citizens even when born outside the US, in almost every respect, there is one important office that only natural born citizens can hold – the presidency (though expect to see efforts in Congress to change this if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger decides to run for President).

    Article II, Section 1, clause 4, of the U.S. Constitution says that "[n]o person except a natural born citizen ... shall be eligible to the Office of President." In the U.S. Code, Title 8 covers "Aliens and Nationality". In Chapter 12, "Immigration and Nationality" of Title 8, appears Section 1401.

    See this link for more detail.

    http://www.doi.gov/oia/FAQ/FAQindex.htm#1

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by lawofficer on October 23rd, 2007

    lawofficer

    Yes,

    If the person was born to two us parents. Note, that McCain currently running for president, was born in Panama to us parents. a couple of others have run but were not elected. Goldwater (Arizona Territory)and George Romney (Mexico)

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Someguy on August 25th, 2008

    Someguy

    If the person was born a citizen, then yes. If a person has at least one parent who is a citizen at the time of his/her birth, then they are a citizen no matter where they are born.

    McCain was born in Panama to American parents. He is fully eligible to become president.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Magenta on July 12th, 2007

    Magenta

    NO, they can't! It may be unfair, but it could be the only thing protecting us from having a President Schwarzenegger.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Baruman on August 21st, 2009

    Baruman

    Yes. John McCain was born in the Republic of Panama, in what was then called the "Canal Zone." From what I understand he was born inside a military base, but still in panamanian territory rented by the US under the treaty of 1903. The 2 requirements to be president are that U are 35 yrs old, and that Ur american by birth. The amendment to the US constitution does not say that U have to be born in the US, Only that U have to be american by birth. I am american by birth although I was also born in the Republic of Panama.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on August 21st, 2009

    Anonymous

    One thing that many people fail to understand is that Congress can decide what is considered a "natural born" citizen. A Constitutional Amendment is not required to change this....
    The laws have been changing throughout the 20th century, and have already changed in the 21st Century with
    The Child Citizenship Act (CCA) which becomes effective on February 27, 2001,
    amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to provide U.S. citizenship.

    AND if Congress WANTS, they could grandfather in a clause for what determines "natural born". Thus, President Arnold Scwartzenegger could, in theory occur, via Congress changing the terms of "natural born", but most likely will not happen.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Carmelita on March 2nd, 2009

    Carmelita

    as far as i know, they have to be natural born in the U.S..but that was U.S hist when i was in HS 2002.. idk could have changed.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Rebelheart on March 2nd, 2009

    Rebelheart

    Yes they can, if their parents were US citizens. Another example was Barry Goldwater. The Demos tried to say he wasn't eligible to run for president back in the 60's because he wasn't born in the US. To a point they were correct because he was born in AZ, and at that time, AZ had not become a state.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Yeahwell... on August 25th, 2008

    Yeahwell...

    No, it's the only office that requires you to be born as a U.S. citizen.

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by Mikey23 on April 17th, 2007

    Mikey23

    No, only if they are born in the United States.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Mephistopheles on February 23rd, 2010

    Mephistopheles

    Are we still on that bandwagon?

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Firebrand on August 21st, 2009

    Firebrand

    No you have to have been born in the United States.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by my2cents--Vote for Paul on February 23rd, 2010

    my2cents--Vote for Paul

    yes.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by maggie_49417 on October 23rd, 2007

    maggie_49417

    No, but I'm sure Arnold Scwartzenegger is trying to figure out a way.

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Can an american citizen born outside the united states run for president?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Can a us citizen born abroad be president
Presidents born outside the us
Can someone born outside of the us become president
Can a person born outside the us be president
What type of citizen can run for usa president

Answerbag

a Demand Media company