In a recent interview on Meet the Press, President-elect Donald Trump outlined his plans to implement strict immigration policies, including ending birthright citizenship and deporting individuals living in the U.S. illegally. He also discussed the potential deportation of American citizens with undocumented family members and expressed openness to working with Democrats on legislation to protect Dreamers.
Ending Birthright Citizenship
Trump announced his intention to repeal birthright citizenship, a right guaranteed under the 14th Amendment, through executive action. This would prevent children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents from automatically becoming citizens. “We have to end it,” Trump said, calling the policy “ridiculous.” He inaccurately claimed the U.S. is the only country offering birthright citizenship, though over 30 nations, including Canada and Brazil, have similar policies.
Mass Deportations and Mixed-Status Families
Trump reaffirmed his commitment to deporting undocumented immigrants, a cornerstone of his campaign. Initially, the focus will be on those with criminal records, but the program will expand to include “others,” he said, without specifying further criteria.
When asked about families with mixed immigration status—where some members are U.S. citizens and others are undocumented—Trump said he aims to avoid family separations by deporting entire families together. “I don’t want to break up families,” he stated. “The only way you don’t break up the family is to keep them together and send them all back.”
During his first term, Trump’s administration faced significant backlash for its zero-tolerance policy, which resulted in family separations at the border. While he said he is not reviving that policy, he noted exceptions might be made based on specific circumstances.
A Softer Stance on Dreamers
In contrast to his hardline policies, Trump adopted a more conciliatory tone when discussing Dreamers—undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He acknowledged their long-standing ties to the U.S., noting that many no longer speak the language of their countries of origin.
“We have to do something about the Dreamers,” Trump said. “These are people who have been here for decades. Many of them are now middle-aged, with jobs, businesses, and families. I will work with the Democrats on a plan to address their status.”
Border Security and Immigration Trends
Trump reiterated his commitment to tightening border security, citing a rise in unauthorized immigration during President Joe Biden’s administration. While unauthorized crossings have decreased in recent months due to executive actions, Trump emphasized the need for stricter policies.
Highlighting his focus on border control, Trump said his administration would prioritize removing undocumented individuals who have committed crimes. “We have to get the criminals out of our country,” he stated. “But we’re also going to address others outside of the criminal category.”
Future Legal Battles
Trump’s proposals, particularly the attempt to end birthright citizenship via executive action, are likely to face significant legal challenges. Constitutional scholars widely agree that overturning birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment rather than an executive order.
As Trump prepares to assume office, his immigration agenda promises to spark debates and legal disputes while testing bipartisan cooperation on issues like DACA and Dreamers.