President-Elect Donald Trump has recently announced his plans to remove birthright citizenship, which has raised debates among legal experts and citizens. Birthright citizenship is guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment, which grants automatic citizenship to anyone born in the United States. But can Donald Trump really alter the Constitution, the protector of American citizens?
Trump proposed ending this constitutional right during his campaign speeches, stating it would deter illegal immigrants. “Ending birthright citizenship will ensure that the children of illegal aliens will no longer receive the gift of U.S. Citizenship,” Trump declared at a rally. His main plan centers around issuing an executive order to restrict birthright citizenship to children born to at least one U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
But many doubt it’s possible. Repealing an amendment is a rare and difficult process, only having happened once in U.S. history with the repeal of Prohibition. “The Fourteenth Amendment is clear, and removing it would be not only legally challenging but also oppressive to many who contribute to the country,” said junior Vrayas Pila. He emphasized that eliminating birthright citizenship could cause unnecessary divisions within society, especially in immigrant communities.
The policy’s potential consequence for families stretches beyond just legal status. “Removing it will create complications for so many families,” said senior Jatin Kodavatiganti. Children born to immigrant parents will face hardships regarding access to affordable education and healthcare, which require citizen status to receive. Millions of future students will face debt as they stop meeting legal status requirements for financial aid. “Whatever the government does to implement it will create bureaucratic red tape,” Kodavatiganti added.
Beyond just removing citizenship, Trump decided to target one of the most used acts by all citizens: the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He criticized the ACA for increasing costs, though many Americans rely on it for access to insurance and protections for pre-existing conditions.
“If the ACA is repealed without a replacement, many families will struggle with finding affordable care, further placing financial strain on families, “ said Pila. Families who are also impacted by Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order will be hit the hardest. Both Pila and Kodavatiganti agree that the government is better off prioritizing issues with the education and healthcare systems instead of removing them. “Families face enough challenges already, Trump is adding unnecessary complications,” said Pila.
As Trump’s presidential term progresses, these controversial proposals face significant legal obstacles. Experts warn that if enacted, they will reshape the nation’s social and legal landscape. Families and communities may soon face new uncertainties in an economically divided America.
