THE WATER COOLER FROM FACEBOOK. COM/STATESMAN

More than 25 immigrant families are suing the Texas Department of State Health Services. As reported by American-Statesman reporters Jazmine Ulloa and James Barragan, the families argue “that in prohibiting certain forms of identification in the application for a birth certificate, the agency is depriving Texas-born children their citizenship rights based on the immigration status of their parents.” A birth certificate is required to enroll children in school and get them access to government services like Medicaid. At the center of the issue is whether or not Texas will accept “matricula consular” as a form of identity. Currently, the state doesn’t accept student IDs, a child’s Medicaid card, a parent’s Mexican voter registration or private company employment cards either. In defense of the state, Attorney General Ken Paxton claims the policy is necessary, neutral and nondiscriminatory.

Carol Whalen: It’s called the 14th Amendment to The U.S. Constitution. The same amendment that makes Ted Cruz a citizen. Or John McCain. Goes both ways — perhaps a civics class might be helpful.

Michael Lawson: The original intent of the 14th Amendment was intended only to protect slaves after the Civil War. Read the author’s original intent where he specifically states that it wasn’t intended to grant citizenship to people not under U.S. jurisdiction.

Joe Francis: If I go to Mexico and have a baby, is it a Mexican citizen with all of their rights? Or is it American because its parents are?

Caroline Marrero Maldonado: Stop taking their taxes! Yes, they pay taxes too! An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is issued to undocumented immigrants so that taxes can be claimed, because our wonderful Uncle Sam takes taxes automatically out of their checks, too. Why isn’t there an identity problem with the taxing federal government? Texas bullies the most vulnerable people. I sure hope a lawsuit is filed because it’s long overdue.

Christopher Hinds: The citizenship clause and birthright provisions of the 14th Amendment are clear on this issue. If you are born in the U.S. you are a U.S. citizen, regardless of the citizenship status of your parents. The 14th Amendment was specifically designed to protect African-Americans from being denied citizenship and equal protection under the law in a post-Civil War, racially charged political climate of the South. The issue is hardly different now, although the target is now Hispanic immigrants.

Jon Best: In 1868 when the 14th Amendment became U.S. law, I doubt if the idea of illegal immigrants and “anchor babies” were even considered or contemplated. The law has been perverted by liberals from its original intention of giving the then recently free slaves U.S. citizenship. Since there are no longer any freed slaves, the law is no longer relevant in its original context and should be repealed.