Does the US constitution apply to non-citizens?

Question

Does "the people" in the US constitution refer to non-citizens as well?

Answer 1

no...it covers those who have taken an oath to protect and defend

Answer 2

The US constitution applies to all residents, just like all our laws applies apply to all residents.  Only difference is non citizens cannot vote and of course tby definition hey would not be subject to charges of treason.

As residents of the country they enjoy all the other rights we citizens enjoy.

Answer 3

Yo packa (something)

Only indirectly by way of the statues having to do with the conduct OF the judicial system !  And, it is by way of the structure of basic judicial behavior Under the Constitution

that grants people (period) a swift and speedy trial -- a supposed innocence until proven guilty -- ect. !!

It is a moot issue of expectations that any and all people within a jurisdiction of ANY court of law --- abide BY the applicable laws and statues --- be they local, state, or Federal --- and the "rights" that these people are granted (foreign nationals) is offered as a part of the standards set forth within the Constitution for the basic conduct OF the legal system !!

So, in essence (be it indirect or direct) the answer here is

Yes, it does apply to them !!

Answer 4

law of the land applies to everybody regarding activities of a person performed in a country. hence even foreigners i.e. non citizens are bound by the U.S. Law and constitution for all their activities in USA. However, "the people" refers to the U.S. citizens.

Answer 5

No it applies only to those that have made the effort to become naturalized. The rest want the benefits without the commitment.

Answer 6

h**l no it doesn't.  That's why we need to treat illegals as criminals.  They are NOT protected under OUR Constitution.

Answer 7

Parts do, parts don't.

Parts are re-interpretted year to year by Supreme court justices.

For instance, within US borders, until the advent of Bush, the law of the land was that anyone accused of a crime by the state was allowed to see the body of evidence against him, whether he was a citizen, a tourist or an illegal.

The "h**l Nos" you'll see elsewhere here are more a reflection of the desire of the people saying them than reality.  The majority of rights given to citizens are also given to non citizens (Freedom of speech, to practice religion, etc).

Answer 8

That is a good question.  I believe it does and that is why many of the Guantanamo detainees are finally getting the chance to challenge their detentions.