What I meant by citizenship being artificial is that I, a citizen, do not owe a greater allegiance to other citizens above non-citizens. Of course citizenship h

What I meant by citizenship being artificial is that I, a citizen, do not owe a greater allegiance to other citizens above non-citizens. Of course citizenship has its implications in the ability to vote, work legally and such. But its membership does not create an "us" that's in opposition to the non-citizen "them." If we're going to get tribal, I'm far more aligned with foreigners who share my worldview than I am with most Americans. I don't feel a greater tug on my heartstrings when reading the article we're discussing than I do when I read about the refugee crisis in Syria. I know more Syrians than I know people from West Virginia. It's like the difference between coworkers and friends. Coworkers are people you're grouped with for convenience sake. But you don't need to share any close bond with them. Friends are people you choose to associate with and for whom you care deeply. Coworkers can also be friends, but they don't have to be. My fellow citizens are like my coworkers. Many illegal aliens are like my friends. If I were to suggest to you that you should prioritize your coworkers above your friends, you'd react in much the same way that I'm reacting here when you tell me I should prioritize citizens over non-citizens.