In a sweeping policy move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to end birthright citizenship in the United States, fulfilling a long-standing campaign promise to address immigration reforms. The announcement marks a significant shift in the interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which has guaranteed citizenship to individuals born on U.S. soil for over 150 years.
Speaking at a press conference in Washington, D.C., President Trump declared, “This is a necessary step to uphold the integrity of our nation’s borders and to prioritize American families and workers. Birthright citizenship has been exploited for far too long.”
The executive order challenges the widely accepted interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause, which states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” Critics of the change argue that altering this principle through executive action could face immediate legal challenges.
Legal experts and immigrant advocacy groups have already raised concerns about the constitutionality of the executive order. They argue that changes to citizenship laws require congressional action or a constitutional amendment. Omar Santiago, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), called the move “an assault on fundamental constitutional rights.”
On the other hand, supporters of the executive order, including conservative lawmakers and immigration restrictionists, praised the decision. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) said, “Ending birthright citizenship will help curb illegal immigration and restore fairness to our immigration system.”
The policy, if upheld, could have far-reaching implications for millions of individuals born in the United States to non-citizen parents. It also raises questions about the status of children born to legal immigrants or temporary visa holders.
The move aligns with broader measures by the Trump administration to curb immigration, including efforts to build a border wall, tighten asylum policies, and implement stricter visa requirements.
The executive order is expected to face legal challenges, with many experts predicting it will ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, immigrant rights organizations and Democratic lawmakers have vowed to fight the policy.
As the debate unfolds, the executive order highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration reform in the United States and its broader impact on the nation’s legal and political landscape.
