Trump Wants To End Birthright Citizenship

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – Donald Trump has reiterated his opposition to birthright citizenship, calling it “ridiculous” and vowing to end it if re-elected. This constitutional guarantee, enshrined in the 14th Amendment for over 150 years, grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ citizenship status. Trump has argued that the policy is being exploited and pledged to take action after assuming office on January 20.

The 14th Amendment states, “All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Any effort to eliminate birthright citizenship would face significant legal hurdles, as the provision is deeply rooted in U.S. law. Attempts to amend the Constitution or bypass it through executive action would likely violate the Amendment.

Critics, including Trump, claim the policy encourages “birth tourism,” where pregnant women travel to the U.S. to give birth, securing citizenship for their children before returning to their home countries. Trump raised the issue during his first term but failed to make any substantive changes. In a recent interview, he stated, “We’re going to have to get it changed. We’ll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.”

Trump has also linked his stance on birthright citizenship to broader immigration issues, saying, “I don’t want to be breaking up families, so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” This remark implies that legal citizens could be deported alongside undocumented family members to avoid family separations.

Despite the rhetoric, Trump, as president, cannot unilaterally alter the Constitution, making his promise to end birthright citizenship legally complex and contentious.