<P> John Bingham, an American lawyer and politician, held to the belief that natural born should be interpreted as born in the United States . In 1862, in the House of Representatives he stated: </P> <P> The Constitution leaves no room for doubt upon this subject . The words "natural born citizen of the United States" appear in it, and the other provision appears in it that, "Congress shall have power to pass a uniform system of naturalization ." To naturalize a person is to admit him to citizenship . Who are natural born citizens but those born within the Republic? Those born within the Republic, whether black or white, are citizens by birth--natural born citizens . </P> <P> He reiterated his statement in 1866: </P> <P> Every human being born within the jurisdiction of the United States of parents not owing allegiance to any foreign sovereignty is, in the language of your Constitution itself, a natural - born citizen; but, sir, I may be allowed to say further that I deny that the Congress of the United States ever had the power, or color of power to say that any man born within the jurisdiction of the United States, not owing a foreign allegiance, is not and shall not be a citizen of the United States . Citizenship is his birthright and neither the Congress nor the States can justly or lawfully take it from him . </P>

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