Donald Trump has vowed to end birthright citizenship in the United States through executive action if he returns to the White House.
Birthright citizenship grants anyone born on US soil automatic citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
Speaking to NBC, Trump said, “We’re going to have to get it changed. We’ll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.” Birthright citizenship is rooted in the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which states that “all persons born” in the United States “are citizens of the United States.”
Trump also reaffirmed his campaign pledge to deport undocumented immigrants, including those with family members who are US citizens. He emphasized, “I don’t want to be breaking up families. So the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.”
However, on the issue of so-called Dreamers—undocumented immigrants shielded under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program—Trump appeared open to bipartisan cooperation. “I will work with the Democrats on a plan,” he said, acknowledging that some of these immigrants have “found good jobs and started businesses.”
Chapter 3 – U.S. Citizens at Birth (INA 301 and 309)
A. General Requirements for Acquisition of Citizenship at Birth
A person born in the United States who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a U.S. citizen at birth, to include a child born to a member of an Indian, Eskimo, Aleutian, or other aboriginal tribe.In general, a person born outside of the United States may acquire citizenship at birth if all of the following requirements are met at the time of the person’s birth:
- The person is a child of a U.S. citizen parent(s);
- The U.S. citizen parent meets certain residence or physical presence requirements in the United States or an outlying possession before the person’s birth in accordance with the applicable provision; and
- The person meets all other applicable requirements under either INA 301 or INA 309.
During the interview, Trump also offered mixed signals on his stance toward NATO, abortion pills, and vaccines. He said the US would remain in NATO if other member states meet their financial obligations, adding, “If they’re paying their bills, and if I think they’re treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely, I’d stay with NATO.” On abortion pills, Trump stated he would not impose restrictions but left room for uncertainty, saying, “Well, I commit. I mean… things change.”
Trump further indicated that Ukraine should “probably” expect less US assistance if he returns to office and revived debunked concerns about vaccines and autism. “Somebody has to find out” if there is a link, he said, suggesting his health secretary nominee, vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., would investigate the matter.
Reiterating his promise not to cut Social Security or raise its eligibility age, Trump claimed he would make the program “more efficient” but did not provide specifics. When asked whether his proposed tariffs on imports would raise prices for Americans, Trump remarked, “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow.”
