President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, a right enshrined in the United States Constitution and upheld by the Supreme Court for over 125 years.
On Monday, Trump introduced a series of executive actions to overhaul federal immigration and border policies.
Many of these measures are expected to face intense legal opposition.
“As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is what I’m going to do,” Trump declared during his inaugural address.
Historically, the U.S. has interpreted the Constitution to grant citizenship at birth to anyone born on American soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
This interpretation is based on the 14th Amendment, which states, “All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
However, Trump has instructed federal agencies to stop granting citizenship-related documents, such as passports and certificates, to children born in the U.S. under certain conditions.
This includes cases where the mother is in the country illegally, the father is neither a citizen nor a legal resident, or the mother is on a temporary visa while the father lacks legal status.
President Trump’s executive order, which is not retroactive, is set to take effect in 30 days.
Almost immediately after its announcement, groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed lawsuits challenging its legality in federal court.
The suit filed in New Hampshire contends that Trump’s order violates the Constitution’s 14th Amendment as well as federal law that has been on the books for more than 80 years.
“Neither the Constitution nor any federal statute confers any authority on the President to redefine American citizenship,” the suit says.
“By attempting to limit the right to birthright citizenship, the Order exceeds the President’s authority and runs afoul of the Constitution and federal statute.”
Trump also invoked extraordinary presidential powers to suspend U.S. asylum laws, describing migrants at the southern border as an “invasion” that threatens public health.
The order allows officials to block, deport, or remove migrants, effectively pausing adherence to asylum laws until Trump determines the “invasion” has ended.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
UK Police Recover Body Of 16Yr Old British-Nigerian Boy Who Drowned In A Lake
PHOTOS: Young Woman Brutally Murdered By Suspected Ritualists, Priv@te Part Removed In Ogun
Lovely Video Of Singer Davido And His Wife, Chioma Vibing To His Song
Woman Slams Her Husband For Allegedly Having Unprotected S3x With Random Girls After Publicly Apologizing To Her
Actress, Laide Bakare Crowned UN Ambassador Of Peace
Actress, Uche Montana Celebrates Birthday With New Stunning Photos
VIDEO: President Tinubu Conferred With a Chieftaincy Title in Anambra State
Passengers Killed, Vehicles Set Ablaze As Gunmen Attack Commercial Bus in Imo