Former President Donald Trump has announced his intention to end the longstanding practice of birthright citizenship in the United States if he regains the presidency in 2025. In a statement released on Saturday, Trump declared that he would sign an executive order on his first day in office to revoke automatic citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to non-citizen parents.
Birthright citizenship, enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, grants citizenship to anyone born in the country, regardless of the legal status of their parents. Trump’s proposed action would directly challenge this constitutional provision, potentially triggering intense legal battles and nationwide debate.
“Ending birthright citizenship is crucial to securing our borders and upholding the integrity of American citizenship,” Trump said in his statement. He argued that this policy incentivizes illegal immigration and creates significant burdens on the country’s resources.
This isn’t the first time Trump has raised the issue. During his first presidential term, he floated the idea of ending birthright citizenship but never followed through with an executive order. Legal experts at the time widely agreed that such a move would require a constitutional amendment, making unilateral action through an executive order unlikely to withstand judicial scrutiny.
Critics have denounced Trump’s plan as unconstitutional and a threat to fundamental civil rights. Advocacy groups and legal scholars argue that the 14th Amendment’s language is clear and that altering its interpretation would require congressional approval or a constitutional convention.
Trump’s announcement has reignited a fierce debate about immigration policies and their alignment with constitutional principles. With the 2024 election cycle in full swing, his proposal is likely to remain a hot-button issue, drawing support from his base while facing staunch opposition from immigrant rights advocates and political opponents.
As the nation watches, legal experts and political analysts are bracing for the potential ramifications of Trump’s controversial pledge to redefine what it means to be an American citizen.