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On the day of his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump is poised to enact sweeping immigration reforms through executive orders, including the controversial elimination of birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants.
An incoming administration official stated that Trump will reinterpret the 14th Amendment, specifically the clause granting citizenship to individuals born on U.S. soil who are “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States, and redefine the phrase to exclude babies born to parents illegally in the country.
Critics argue that the measure is unconstitutional, while Trump’s team insists it is necessary to curb “birth tourism” and undocumented migration.
“The last four years have created an unconscionable risk to public safety, public health, and national security due to the Biden administration’s border policies,” said an incoming White House official.
Sweeping Immigration Orders
The birthright citizenship revocation is one of ten immigration-related executive orders Trump plans to sign Monday. Other measures include:
- Restarting border wall construction and deploying U.S. troops to patrol the southern border.
- Declaring a national emergency to address immigration concerns.
- Reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed.
- Designating drug cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations.
- Suspending refugee resettlements for at least four months.
Impact on Immigration
Under Biden, crossings dropped by 80% in 2024, with daily apprehensions at historic lows of 1,000 per day. However, Trump’s incoming officials argue that the Biden administration’s policies “emboldened migrants” in earlier years, necessitating aggressive action.
The planned orders include ramped-up deportations targeting immigrants with criminal records and suspected gang affiliations, though officials noted that ICE agents would have broad discretion to arrest any undocumented individual.
Controversial Measures
The “Remain in Mexico” program, initially enacted by Trump in 2019, will also return despite opposition from immigrant advocates who say it endangers asylum seekers. Mexico has previously refused to reinstate the program, citing safety concerns.
While Trump’s policies have been lauded by conservatives as a decisive step toward immigration reform, legal challenges are expected to follow, particularly regarding the constitutionality of ending birthright citizenship.
The president-elect’s aggressive immigration agenda is poised to spark fierce political battles and shape the nation’s immigration landscape for years to come.
