Trump Vows to End Birthright Citizenship, Impacts Indians

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. Donald Trump has announced his decision to abolish birthright citizenship.
2. This right grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States.
3. Trump has called it a magnet for illegal immigration.
4. This decision may significantly impact Indians living in the US.
5. Birthright citizenship was established by the 14th Amendment in 1868.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Trump’s Decision to End Birthright Citizenship

US President-elect Donald Trump has declared his intention to abolish “birthright citizenship” on his first day in office for his second term. This constitutional right, which has been in place for over 150 years, grants American citizenship to anyone born in the United States. Trump has labeled this provision as “ridiculous.” The issue of “birthright citizenship” has become a point of contention in the US.

History of Birthright Citizenship

The US Congress passed the 14th Amendment in 1866, following the American Civil War. This amendment, ratified in 1868, extended citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. It overturned the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision, which had prohibited slaves and their descendants from becoming citizens. This “birthright citizenship” became a key component of the US Constitution.

Impact on Indians

There are over 5.4 million Indian Americans in the US. They constitute 1.47% of the total US population, with over two-thirds being immigrants and 34% born in the US. If “birthright citizenship” is abolished, children born in the US to Indians on green cards and H-1B visas may not automatically become American citizens. They might have to resort to naturalization or other legal pathways.

Cause of Illegal Immigration

In an interview with CBS News, Trump stated that birthright citizenship is “the biggest magnet for illegal immigration” to the US. Trump also mentioned that he had planned to remove this provision through an executive order during his first term, but his focus shifted to concerns related to the pandemic. Now, Trump is determined to put an end to this “birthright citizenship.”

Legal Challenges

Trump has indicated that he will try to remove the provision through an executive order, and if needed, he might initiate a constitutional amendment. However, this will not be easy. In US history, a constitutional amendment has been repealed only once. This was the 18th Amendment, which was overturned by the 21st Amendment in 1933. This adds to the complications of abolishing “birthright citizenship”.

Controversy Over Birthright Citizenship

Opponents of birthright citizenship argue that it only applies to children whose parents are legal immigrants to America. It remains unclear whether it applies to children with one or both parents lacking legal status in the US. There have been numerous questions regarding this specific “birthright citizenship” matter.

Trump’s Stance

Trump and his border czar, Tom Homan, have expressed their views on this matter. Homan said, “If you come into the country and have a child, that’s on you. You can either take the child with you, but that’s on you.” Trump had previously tried to restrict visas for pregnant women coming to the US, in an attempt to curb birth tourism.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

Donald Trump is determined to end “birthright citizenship,” which could impact Indians living in the US. This move is aimed at curbing illegal immigration. There are likely to be legal challenges and ongoing controversy over this decision.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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