First generation Americans American born
In the debate about immigration, some state legislators want to alter the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution with birthright proposals for children of illegal immigrants.
The 14th Amendment was created in the aftermath of this famous U.S. Supreme Court case and eventually allowed many celebrities to claim first-generation citizenship.
Martin Van Buren
Birthplace: Kinderhook, New York
Parental nationality: Dutch
The eighth U.S. president was an American-born commander in chief, unlike his predecessors.He spoke English as a second language, as did his wife. What was their first language?While Van Buren's birthplace satisfied the natural-born requirement for the presidency, another president endured challengers.
Frank Sinatra
Birthplace: Hoboken, New Jersey
Parental nationality: Italian
Before the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Sinatra was the reigning singing-celebrity heartthrob in the United States.Like her husband, Sinatra's ex-wife was an American child of foreign-born immigrants.
Kirk Douglas
Birthplace: Amsterdam, New York
Parental nationality: Russian by way of Belarus
His 1960 role as a rebellious Greek has spawned a cable-channel cottage industry with two actors.His only award-winning role was as a tormented artist.Neither of his two wives was American-born: first wife, second wife.Of his four sons, the most famous one has a Welsh-born wife.
Nicole Kidman
Birthplace: Honolulu
Parental nationality: Australian
Because of her birthplace and parents' nationality, Kidman holds national citizenships similar to another hot actress.Like Kidman, her second husband was born somewhere else but grew up in Australia. The couple has two daughters.The Oscar-winning actress resides in a Southern American town and in Australia.
Sidney Poitier
Birthplace: Miami
Parental nationality: Bahamian
He garnered a 1958 Academy Award Best Actor nomination, winning the Oscar five years later.In expanding his career, he directed a popular dance movie, but a comedy duo headlined his most successful project.With a longtime friend, Poitier directed several profitable movies in the 1970s.Since 1997, he has worked as a diplomat.
Dr. Mehmet Oz
Birthplace: Cleveland
Parental nationality:Turkish
He holds dual citizenship, which he obtained by serving in the military.Along with his longtime medical collaborator, he wrote a best-selling series.He became a household name after appearing on a daytime talk show for five seasons.In addition to his daily health show, he also appears on a new cable show
Soledad O'Brien
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Birthplace: St. James, New York
Parental nationality: Cuban and Australian
The CNN host explained what her birth name means in Spanish.Her parents married in Washington, D.C., since interracial marriage was illegal in Maryland, where they attended college. In 1967, this landmark Supreme Court decision outlawed anti-miscegenation statutes in the United States.O'Brien and her five siblings all graduated from the same Ivy League university.
Paula Abdul
Birthplace: San Fernando, California
Parental nationality: Syrian-Brazilian and Canadian
Her former father-in-law was a first-generation American, too. His parents emigrated from two European countries.
Inspired by her second divorce, Abdul co-wrote an international hit song that served as a chart-topping comeback for an Australian pop star.
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