Donald Trump, if re-elected in November, has pledged to end birthright citizenship through an executive order, similar to his controversial travel ban on Muslim-majority countries. Birthright citizenship, protected by the 14th Amendment, grants citizenship to all individuals born in the U.S. regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Trump claims it is an anomaly compared to other countries and vows to end it for children born to parents who are undocumented immigrants.
Legal experts argue that the Constitution ensures birthright citizenship for all individuals born in the U.S., with only foreign diplomats exempt. Critics of birthright citizenship claim that children of immigrants who enter the country illegally should not be citizens. Trump’s proposed order would require at least one parent to be a citizen or legal resident for a child to receive birthright citizenship, and it would target “birth tourism” where individuals visit the U.S. to ensure their children gain citizenship.
The impact of Trump’s plan could be significant, as it would restrict Social Security numbers and passports for children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status. Critics argue that implementing this plan may be challenging as federal agencies do not readily have access to immigration status information. Despite the legal and logistical challenges, the plan to end birthright citizenship aligns with Trump’s broader immigration policies and could prompt significant legal battles up to the Supreme Court.
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