Does the preamble to the constitution apply only to US citizens, or to everyone (legally) living in USA?

Question

Also, how would you explain this to ESL students (so its not overly complicated etc)? thanks.

Answer 1

The people of United States "establish" the law.

When comes to having  rights under the law  the Constitution  will then apply to any person under United States Jurisdiction

Please notice thee phrase "no person shall " and not only citizen have rights under United States Constitution.

The United States Constitution

Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation

Answer 2

American citizens. I would tell them it only applies to people born here, or who go through the process to become a citizen.  If you're here on a visa, it doesn't apply.

Answer 3

Technically -----The people of the US, as of 1787, who were being represented at the Constitutional Convention.

But who "we, the people" are , when people use the phrase now?

some people use it to mean only citizens, some people mean all residents.

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not all that easy, but very complete is this , from wikipedia

"People of the United States"

The phrase "People of the United States" has sometimes been understood to mean "citizens." This approach reasons that, if the political community speaking for itself in the Preamble ("We the People") includes only citizens, by negative implication it specifically excludes non-citizens in some fashion.[27] It has also been construed to mean something like "all under the sovereign jurisdiction and authority of the United States."[28] The phrase has been construed as affirming that the national government created by the Constitution derives its sovereignty from the people,[29] as well as confirming that the government under the Constitution was intended to govern and protect "the people" directly, as one society, instead of governing only the states as political units.[30] The Court has also understood this language to mean that the sovereignty of the government under the U.S. Constitution is superior to that of the States.[31] Stated in negative terms, the Preamble has been interpreted as meaning that the Constitution was not the act of sovereign and independent States.[32] In short, although in some ways the meaning and implications of the Preamble may be contested, at the least it can be said that the Preamble demonstrates that the federal government of the United States was not created as an agreement between or coalition of the States. Instead, it was the product of "the People" with the power to govern the People directly, unlike the government under the Articles of Confederation, which only governed the People indirectly through rules imposed on the States.

Answer 4

It applies to the native Indians murdered for their land, the slaves that built the country and everyone else too.

Answer 5

All those who are here legally  

Answer 6

Citizens

Answer 7

Everyone that is on US soil!!

Its a load of c**p though- look at our society and government today!

Answer 8

Illegals have NO rights under the US constitution