From DeepSeek:
Based on the search results, there is a fundamental difference between what the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution say about your topics. The Declaration states grievances about British restrictions, while the Constitution establishes the legal mechanisms for the new government.
Here is a breakdown of what each document states regarding immigration, migration, trade, and citizenship.
1. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
The Declaration of Independence does not establish laws or define citizenship. Instead, it serves as a list of grievances against King George III. It condemns the British Crown for restricting trade and immigration/migration .
On Trade: The document explicitly accuses the King of "cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world." The founders viewed free trade as essential for economic growth, and they rejected the British practice of imposing tariffs and non-tariff barriers that limited colonial commerce .
On Immigration & Migration: The founders condemned the Crown for "endeavouring to prevent the population of these States" and for "obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners." They argued that Britain was deliberately refusing to pass laws that would encourage migration, which hurt population growth and economic development .
On Citizenship: The Declaration does not define citizenship or the process of becoming a citizen.
2. THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
The Constitution rarely uses the modern terms "immigration" or "citizen" in the sense of membership, but it provides the textual foundation for how these systems operate.
On Citizenship (Being a Citizen) :
The 14th Amendment: The clearest definition of citizenship is found here: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." This establishes birthright citizenship (jus soli) , meaning citizenship is automatic for those born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents' status .
Presidential Eligibility: The Constitution also mentions citizenship as a requirement for office. The President must be a "natural born Citizen" and a resident for 14 years .
On Naturalization (Immigration Law) :
Article I, Section 8, Clause 4: This is the only explicit grant of power regarding citizenship. It gives Congress the power "To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization." This was crucial because, under the Articles of Confederation, states had their own citizenship rules. This clause federalized the process of becoming a citizen .
On Migration:
Article I, Section 9, Clause 1 (The Migration and Importation Clause) : This clause prevented Congress from banning the "Migration or Importation of such Persons" until 1808. While the text uses the word "Migration," legal scholars and historians almost universally agree this was a compromise to protect the slave trade. It was not intended as a broad grant of power over immigration policy .
On Trade (Commerce) :
Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause) : This grants Congress the power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations." While the Declaration complained about restrictions on trade, the Constitution granted the federal government the power to regulate that trade .
3. THE CONSTITUTION'S SILENCE ON IMMIGRATION CONTROL
This is a critical point found in the legal analysis of the search results: The word "immigration" does not appear in the Constitution . The document does not explicitly say "Congress shall have power to control borders."
Because the text is silent, the Supreme Court has historically justified federal control over immigration through other means:
Necessary and Proper Clause + Naturalization Clause: Congress uses its power to make naturalization rules to also regulate who enters the country .
Sovereignty Doctrine: Since the 1889 Chinese Exclusion Case, the Court has ruled that the power to control borders is an "incident of sovereignty" —an inherent power that any independent nation must have, even if it isn't written down in the Constitution .
Summary
Declaration of Independence: Says the British were wrong to restrict trade and immigration. It is pro-immigration and pro-free trade .
U.S. Constitution: Says Congress has the power to make uniform naturalization laws (Article I, §8) ; defines citizenship via birth (14th Amendment) ; and, through judicial interpretation, has plenary power over borders (even though the text doesn't explicitly grant it) .
