Trump Targets Birthright Citizenship After Election

President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to end birthright citizenship, a constitutional guarantee established by the 14th Amendment, which asserts that anyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen regardless of their parents' legal status. Trump indicated that he might pursue this through executive action, but legal experts warn that such a move would likely face significant challenges in court and could be deemed unconstitutional. The 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause, reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in the past, makes it clear that citizenship is granted at birth, a principle that has been historically important for formerly enslaved individuals. While Trump claims the U.S. is unique in granting birthright citizenship, numerous other countries, including Canada and Mexico, also follow this practice. The only viable legal pathway to changing this would be a constitutional amendment, which is a complex and challenging process. Experts suggest that Trump's approach may be more politically motivated than legally sound, highlighting the deep-rooted significance of the 14th Amendment in American history.