President Donald Trump made headlines with an executive order to end birthright citizenship – a constitutional right that’s been upheld by the Supreme Court for over 125 years.
Trump’s action would redefine who is a U.S. citizen at birth and could have big implications for federal immigration policy and lawsuits.
He moved fast on Monday, issuing a series of executive orders on immigration and border policy.
During his inauguration speech, he said as commander in chief his top job is to protect the country from threats and invasions.
The U.S. Constitution, under the 14th Amendment, has always been interpreted to grant citizenship to anyone born on American soil regardless of parents’ immigration status.
The amendment says, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
But Trump’s executive order challenges that long-standing interpretation.
Under the order, federal agencies were told to stop issuing passports, citizenship certificates and other documents to certain children born in the U.S.
Specifically, the order targets children of mothers who are undocumented immigrants, temporary visa holders or fathers who are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
Trump said this wouldn’t apply retroactively and has a 30-day enforcement period.
Not surprisingly, the order was met with immediate lawsuits.
Advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, filed lawsuits in federal court to challenge the order. Legal experts expect a long fight as the courts sort it out.
Trump also used his presidential powers to address immigration at the southern border. He called the migrants an “invasion” which he said threatened public health and national security.
Using that as a justification, he suspended U.S. asylum laws, allowing officials to repel, deport or block migrants from physically entering the country. That suspension will be in place until Trump declares the invasion is over.
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