Donald Trump Tries To Kill Birthright Citizenship With Executive Order
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to attempt to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants on Monday.
The sweeping order, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” seeks to undercut more than 150 years of protections for those born on U.S. soil, regardless of the citizenship status of their parents. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution specifically grants that right.
“It’s a good one. Birthright, that’s a big one,” Trump said from the Oval Office as he signed a slate of orders related to immigration. “It’s ridiculous, we’re the only country in the world that does this with birthright, as you know, and it’s just absolutely ridiculous. We think we have really good grounds. People have wanted to do this for decades.”
In fact, dozens of countries have birthright citizenship protections.
The order will apply to children born in the United States after a 30-day waiting period, and includes a provision that orders the secretary of state, attorney general and secretary of Homeland Security to enforce it.
Federal department and agencies will be barred under the order from issuing documents “recognizing United States citizenship, or accept documents issued by State, local, or other governments or authorities purporting to recognize United States citizenship.”
The order is guaranteed to face a fierce challenge in court, and the move prompted immediate criticism from Democrats.
“The Constitution is clear: If you are born in the United States, you are an American citizen,” Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) said Monday night. “Donald Trump’s attempt to take Americans’ birthright citizenship away is extreme, unconstitutional and illegal. I will do everything in my power to protect Nevadans’ Constitutional rights.”
Trump signed dozens of executive actions on Monday, just hours after his inauguration. The slate of orders will quickly transform the federal government in his image and impact many aspects of society.
His decisions will include an overhaul of how immigration is enforced, and Trump will direct the U.S. military to take a larger role enforcing border security. The orders will also suspend asylum and reinstate his controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy.
