President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship in the United States.
The controversial move seeks to deny citizenship documentation to babies born on US soil to parents who lack legal status, a principle protected by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
The order, signed Monday evening after Trump’s inauguration, directs federal agencies to stop issuing citizenship documents—such as Social Security cards and passports—to these children within 30 days.
This decision challenges a constitutional right that has existed for over 150 years. The 14th Amendment states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” Legal experts and scholars argue that the executive order violates this amendment and predict the policy will face intense scrutiny in court.
Just minutes after Trump signed the order, a coalition of civil rights and immigration advocacy groups filed a lawsuit in New Hampshire. The groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the Asian Law Caucus, argue that the executive order is unconstitutional.
“The president cannot unilaterally rewrite the Constitution,” the ACLU said in a statement. “This order poses a direct threat to families and children who are American citizens by birthright.”
The birthright citizenship order is one of several immigration-related actions Trump has taken since his inauguration. Other directives include:
Deportations: An increase in deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Refugee Resettlement: A suspension of refugee admissions into the country.
The executive order has sparked widespread debate. Supporters say the policy is necessary to curb illegal immigration, while critics see it as an unconstitutional overreach.
“This is about ensuring that citizenship is earned, not granted based on geographic location,” a senior Trump administration official said.
Immigration advocacy groups warn that the order could harm thousands of families, lead to stateless children, and disrupt immigrant communities.
The legal battle over this order is expected to be lengthy and high-profile, with significant implications for immigration law and constitutional rights in the United States.
