For more than a century, babies born in the U.S. have been granted citizenship based on the 14th Amendment, which says that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” Initially introduced in response to laws in Southern states restricting the rights of formerly enslaved Black Americans after the Civil War, the Supreme Court ruled in 1898 that the 14th Amendment applies to all children born in the U.S. to parents “domiciled” within the country. This case was brought by Wong Kim Ark, a San Francisco-born man who successfully defended his claim to citizenship — after officials claimed that the fact that his parents were Chinese nationals at the time of his birth disqualified him.
Until now, only narrow exceptions existed for children whose parents were high-ranking foreign diplomats or were in the U.S. as an invading army.
Sacramento County Animal Services has filed a legal demand to retrieve dogs that were transferred to a “no-kill” rescue at the heart of a sprawling multi-agency investigation into allegations of animal abuse and fraud.
The filing alleges the dogs were transferred to Miranda’s Rescue through “straw” rescues without the county’s approval or knowledge.
In early May, the Humboldt County Sheriff began investigating Shannon Miranda, the rescue’s owner, after two local animal advocates, Jenna Moore and Jennifer Raymond, went onto the 50-acre rescue property at night and dug up the bodies of eight dogs that appeared to have gunshot wounds to the head.
Last week, investigators from the sheriff’s office, FBI, California Department of Justice, USDA and Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office served a second search warrant on Miranda’s property, recovering 117 dog bodies, 21 skulls, adoption paperwork and other evidence. “ The facts that have been uncovered are deeply disturbing, and I understand the community’s desire for answers, accountability, and justice,” Sheriff William Honsal said at a press conference on Monday.
So far, 91 microchips have been recovered from the scene, he said. Many of them “trace back to shelters and rescue facilities throughout the state.” Honsal asked for the public’s patience as investigators work through the evidence in what he described as a “complex case.”