News Brief
"We Are Concerned": US On Implementation Of India's Citizenship Amendment Act
Anti-CAA protests in December 2019.
The United States has expressed its concerns regarding the notification of India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) on 11 March, stating that it is closely monitoring its implementation.
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, addressing reporters at a daily briefing, stated, "We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act."
The CAA, implemented by the Indian government, allows for the grant of citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before 31 December, 2014.
“We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles,” Miller said.
It's important to note that the US has its own Equal Protection Clause, ensuring equal treatment for all communities.
It's noteworthy that the US has provided special treatment to minority groups facing persecution, exemplified by the Lautenberg Amendment, which aids religious minorities from various countries, including Iran.
Unlike the CAA, the Lautenberg Amendment primarily concerns religious minorities living in other nations, offering them refuge in the US.
While the CAA aims to grant citizenship to minorities already residing in India, it doesn't interfere with minority populations in other countries.
Moreover, unlike Lautenberg, which has clear political and foreign policy goals, CAA is grounded in history of the subcontinent.
There is no justification, except for realpolitik, behind US only putting Iran and not its ally Saudi Arabia’s name in the Lautenberg amendment.
On the other hand, CAA incorporates a reasonable classification (not discrimination) on historical grounds.
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