Donald Trump Hints at Ending Birthright Citizenship For US-Born Babies of Immigrants
While Trump's remarks are a continuation of his anti-immigrant rhetoric ahead of the elections, experts doubt whether his intention to end birthright citizenship will pass judicial scrutiny.
Washington, October 30: United States president Donald Trump has hinted at ending the birthright citizenship granted to US-born babies of immigrant couples. The remarks, aimed at galvanising Republican supporters ahead of the November 6 midterm polls, was made by Trump while speaking at 'Axios on HBO'.
While Trump's remarks are a continuation of his anti-immigrant rhetoric ahead of the elections, experts doubt whether his intention to end birthright citizenship will pass judicial scrutiny. Donald Trump Plans Aggressive Campaign for Mid-term Elections.
Citizenship to babies of immigrants born in the US is guaranteed in the American Constitution. The first line of the 14th Amendment states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside."
Trump, however, claims that "his experts" are sure that the birthright citizenship programme could be discontinued. "They’re saying I can do it just with an executive order," he claimed.
"We’re the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States," the President was further reported as saying.
Trump's key electoral plank ahead of the midterm polls has remained the "strengthening of laws to secure the American borders". He has warned the electorate of facing an unprecedented influx from Central America if the Republicans are not handed a full-majority victory.
"The Democrats will turn this country into a den for thugs and drug peddlers from Latin America and extremists, terrorists from the Middle East," he said, while addressing a recent rally in Pennsylvania.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 30, 2018 10:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).