On Monday, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting birthright citizenship—a practice rooted in the U.S. Constitution and recognized for over a century.
The order, part of broader changes to immigration and border policies, is expected to face significant legal opposition.
Speaking about national security during his address, Trump stated, “As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is what I’m going to do.”
For decades, the 14th Amendment has been interpreted to grant citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The 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.”
Trump’s directive challenges this understanding by instructing federal agencies to stop issuing official documents—such as passports and citizenship certificates—for children born in the U.S. to parents who lack legal status or citizenship.
The policy specifically affects children whose parents are undocumented, fathers who are not legal residents, and mothers on temporary visas. Notably, the order excludes retroactive enforcement.
Agencies were given a 30-day deadline to implement these changes. However, the measure immediately sparked lawsuits, with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filing legal challenges.
In addition, Trump expanded presidential powers to suspend U.S. asylum laws, describing the influx of migrants at the southern border as both an “invasion” and a public health concern.
This order allows federal officials to “repel, repatriate, or remove” migrants and effectively halts the enforcement of asylum laws until Trump declares the border situation resolved.
