Colin Mortimer for Inside Sources - A Defense of Birthright Citizenship

On his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order aimed at ending automatic citizenship — known as “birthright citizenship” — for children born in the United States to two non-citizen parents. His argument rests on interpreting the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” found in the 14th Amendment, which codified birthright citizenship into the Constitution. Trump claims that non-citizens, both legal immigrants and undocumented immigrants, are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States. Therefore their children are not entitled to automatic citizenship.

It’s clear that Trump has little regard for America’s extraordinary ability to welcome newcomers and transform them into fully equal citizens. It’s just as clear that he can’t nullify a constitutional right with the stroke of a pen.

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to get the latest updates from the Center for New Liberalism