Trump's Decision to Cancel Birthright Citizenship for Foreigners Born in the U.S.

With only one week remaining until the U.S. midterm elections, President Donald Trump stated that he will attempt to ensure that children of illegal immigrants and those who are not U.S. citizens cannot receive citizenship through birth in the country. Trump, who has taken steps to change U.S. immigration laws and policies since the beginning of his presidency, told Axios that he wants to issue an executive order regarding citizenship by birth in the U.S. The President's previous statements about abolishing this issue have always received a positive response from his supportive social groups, but Reuters reports that some legal experts believe that this potential action by Trump would conflict with the country's constitution. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified after the American Civil War to ensure that African Americans could enjoy full citizenship rights, states that citizenship is granted to 'all persons born or naturalized in the United States.' This law has typically been interpreted to mean that citizenship is also granted to the children of illegal immigrants born in the U.S. However, Trump, who has taken a hardline stance against illegal immigrants, had spoken out against this even before he became president. Reuters notes that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has also stated that he intends to introduce a bill in Congress in line with Trump's order. However, neither Senator Graham nor Trump have provided details on this matter, and the White House has not commented on it.