As the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders on immigrants. He has taken several steps ranging from revoking US citizenship by birth to imposing a state of emergency on the border. However, on the first day of his second term as president, Trump’s decision to cancel citizenship by birth has already started to be criticized. Trump is already facing legal challenges from various organizations working with immigrants. These organizations reacted angrily after his decision to cancel citizenship by birth. An organization said, Trump’s decision will not uphold American values. Another organization said the Trump administration has begun an active campaign to destroy the lives of immigrants.
Trump was sworn in for a second term as President of the United States on Monday night. In his inauguration speech, he announced strict action against immigrants. Trump said he will stop illegal entry into the United States. Describing illegal immigrants as “criminals”, Trump said that millions of immigrants who are in the United States will be sent back. However, the officials of his administration say that Trump wants to abolish the benefits of US citizenship by birth. In this case, it does not matter how the child’s parents are living in the United States. That is, if an illegal immigrant gives birth to a child in the United States, that child will not automatically receive U.S. citizenship.
It is not yet clear how Trump wants to implement the new rules on birthright US citizenship benefits. Because, this benefit of citizenship by birth is a matter reserved in the US Constitution. If Trump wants to take away this constitutional right to citizenship by birth, he will need the support of two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. If such a person gives birth to a child, that child should not be given US citizenship documents. Organizations working with immigrants expressed immediate outrage at Trump’s decision. They say that Trump’s order is unconstitutional.
Shortly after Trump signed the executive order, an organization called the American Civil Liberties Union (ALCU) said that they would file a lawsuit against such an order of the Trump administration. The organization said in a statement on Monday, “The order to deny citizenship to children born in the United States is not only unconstitutional, but also a reckless and callous rejection of American values.”