First generation Americans

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.