Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, one of 17 Republican presidential candidates, reportedly flip-flopped on the growing topic of birthright citizenship.

The 14th Amendment grants automatic U.S. citizenship to all persons born in the United States and its jurisdictions, including the children of undocumented immigrants. Referred to as "birthright citizenship," fellow Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called for the end of the 14th Amendment's provision. He has referred to the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants as "anchor babies," a term that has been viewed as derogatory and offensive.

Other Republicans have followed suit with Trump and used the term "anchor babies" on the campaign trail, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Other candidates agreed with the Trump's call to end birthright citizenship, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.

As Latin Post reported, while campaigning at the Iowa State Fair, Walker said he would "absolutely" end birthright citizenship.

Several days later, during an appearance on ABC's "This Week," Walker gave a different response on whether he would repeal or alter the 14th Amendment.

"No. My point is, any discussion that goes beyond securing the border and enforcing the laws are things that should be a red flag to voters out there, who for years have heard lip service from politicians and are understandably angry because those politicians haven't been committed to following through on those promises," said Walker.

Sunday's comment comes two days after Walker said he would not take a stance on the issue. He told CNBC's John Harwood, "I'm not taking a position on it one way or another."

Trump did not hold back when talking about Walker. During the same "This Week" broadcast, Trump said he had provided campaign contributions to Walker and likes him "very much," but said the Wisconsin governor is copying him on the issues and not performing well in the state.

"But his state has not performed well," Trump said about Walker's tenure as Wisconsin's governor. "We need somebody that's going to make it perform well, this country perform well."

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie criticized Trump for focusing on birthright citizenship. According to Christie, during an interview on CBS "Face the Nation," he is willing to listen to anything in relation to comprehensive immigration reform, except an item affecting the Constitution.

"It's in the Constitution and I don't think we should be looking to change it," said Christie about the 14th Amendment, later adding, "But the truth of the matter is that it's not something that, that's not something that we should be focused on, that is an applause line."

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a U.S.-born citizen to Cuban immigrants, opposed Trump's call to repeal the birthright citizenship provision. Rubio told reporters in Iowa, "I'm open to doing things that prevent people who deliberately come to the U.S. for purposes of taking advantage of the 14th Amendment, but I'm not in favor of repealing it."

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

Related