Former US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his stance on birthright citizenship, stating that it was originally intended only for the children of slaves and not for all immigrants. His controversial executive order to terminate birthright citizenship was prevented by a federal court in Seattle on the same day the order was issued. The plight has ignited a fierce, nationwide legal and political firestorm.
Trump’s Justification for Ending Birthright Citizenship
Talking from the Oval Office, Trump stated his reasoning, saying that the 14th Amendment is not intended for granting citizenship status to persons born outside the country with parents who are US citizens and that their children should be given on the spot birthright citizenship.
“Birthright citizenship was meant for the children of slaves. This was not meant for the whole world to come in and pile into the United States of America,” Trump said.
Calling the initiative a “very good and noble” policy shift, Trump pointed out that the beneficiaries of birthright citizenship included not only unqualified persons but also their children, respectively.
“This wasn’t meant for that… I’m in favor of it 100 percent, but it wasn’t meant for the entire world to occupy the United States,” he added.
Trump boasted a confidence in the legal fight he claimed to be only to see the case succeed in the Supreme Court.
Legal Challenges and Court Reactions
Even though Trump allegedly so affirmed, his order was set in opposition directly by the courts. A US federal judge, John Coughenour, issued a temporary restraining order, calling the move “blatantly unconstitutional. “**
The lawsuit against former president Trump’s order was brought by some state Democratic-governors, such as Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon, who claimed that not granting citizenship to children on grounds of their parents’ illegal status in the United States is also a direct violation of the US Constitution.
The executive order sought to restrict citizenship for children born in the US unless at least one parent was a US citizen or a legal permanent resident. This manoeuvre has been sharply criticized by legal professionals, who claim that it is unconstitutional for the US President to unilaterally change constitutional rights.
Republican Senators Push for Legislative Change
But in addition to Trump’s EO, a gang of Republicans in the US Senate has proposed a bill to restrict birthright citizenship. The bill, sponsored by Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, and Katie Britt, aims to restrict automatic citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants and non-immigrants on temporary visas.
These lawmakers argue that birthright citizenship acts as a “pull factor” for illegal immigration and poses a national security risk.
“The United States remains one of only 33 countries without restrictions on birthright citizenship. This must change,” stated Senator Ted Cruz.
As part of the already controversial immigration debate in the US, the proposed legislation has also added one more layer of controversy.
Potential Impact of Ending Birthright Citizenship
If Trump’s policy were enacted, experts estimate that it could deny citizenship to over 150,000 children born in the US annually. Critiques raise the concern that this may lead to a new generation of stateless persons, who will face serious legal and human consequences.
Mass attorney general Andrea Joy Campbell very negatively commented on the change, writing:.
“Trump does not have the authority to take away constitutional rights. The 14th Amendment clearly grants citizenship to all persons born in the United States.”
Legal analysts predict that Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship could lead to a landmark Supreme Court battle. Many believe that such a change would require a constitutional amendment, rather than an executive order or legislative bill.
Conclusion
Trump’s push toward the termination of birthright citizenship has provoked an intense national controversy, with legal, political and humanitarian consequences. While the former president remains confident in his legal victory, strong opposition from federal courts, Democratic-led states, and immigration rights activists suggests that this issue is far from settled.
As the 2024 election is getting closer, the battle around birthright citizenship will remain a focal point of growing political controversy, thus will determine the shape of the US immigration policy moving forward.
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