Washington, D.C. — On his first day in office as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating birthright citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to illegal immigrants. The move, which took place at the White House just hours after his inauguration, signals a major shift in U.S. immigration policy.
“This is a transformative step,” Trump said during the signing ceremony. “People have been wanting this for decades, and today we’re finally making it happen.”
White House officials clarified that the new policy will not grant automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the country illegally. The change will apply to future cases and will not affect individuals who have already obtained citizenship.
The announcement has already sparked controversy, with legal experts warning that the executive order may violate the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The amendment guarantees that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”
Critics argue that Trump’s policy directly conflicts with this constitutional provision. However, supporters believe the amendment has been misinterpreted, with some pointing to the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” as justification for the change.
Trump had campaigned heavily on immigration reform, often citing the need to curb illegal immigration and reassess existing policies. The decision to end birthright citizenship is expected to reignite debates over immigration and constitutional law, with many predicting legal battles that could reach the Supreme Court.
Reactions to the announcement have been swift and polarized. Advocates for stricter immigration policies applauded the decision, calling it a necessary measure to protect national resources and sovereignty. Opponents, however, condemned the move as an attack on immigrant communities and a violation of fundamental rights.
As legal challenges loom, the future of birthright citizenship in the U.S. remains uncertain. Trump’s executive order sets the stage for a contentious battle over the interpretation of one of the nation’s most enduring constitutional principles.
