The Apocalypse of a Moor
Book Discussion
Prior to the 14th Amendment, immigration and naturalization was done through the several states (1790 Immigration and Naturalization) to be state citizens. In order to be a U.S. citizen, one had to be a citizen of one of the several states of the United States.
The Dred Scott case dictates that the constitution did not apply to the "negros", and had no power to make them into state citizens. The state constitutions also lacked the authority to make the "negros" into state citizens.
The 14th Amendment created a U.S. citizen separate and distinct from a state citizen. Immigration and naturalization was switched from state citizenship to U.S. citizenship. The amendment only gave the "negros" the opportunity to apply for U.S. citizenship. No one applied.
Chapter 4 - The 14th Amendment