President Donald Trump has signed an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants, reports UNB.
The controversial move is expected to face immediate legal challenges, as it contradicts over 150 years of constitutional interpretation under the 14th Amendment.
The executive order, titled Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship, stipulates that children born in the U.S. after 19 February 2025 will not be granted citizenship if their mother is either unlawfully in the country or temporarily authorised to reside in the U.S., and the father is neither a U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident.
As he signed the order in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump declared, "This is a big one. People have been wanting to do this for decades." He expressed confidence in the administration's legal position, asserting that they have "very good grounds" to defend the policy.
The move, however, represents a significant departure from the traditional interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees that "all persons born or naturalised in the United States" are citizens. Legal experts have long upheld this clause as the foundation of birthright citizenship, regardless of parental status.
AFP adds: The World Health Organization said Tuesday it regretted the decision by the new US administration of President Donald Trump to withdraw the country from the UN agency.
Trump signs executive order to end birthright citizenship
US decides to withdraw from WHO
FE Team | Published: January 21, 2025 23:14:19
Trump signs executive order to end birthright citizenship
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