Trump's Immigration Agenda Takes Aim at Birthright Citizenship

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has pledged to mount a legal challenge against President-elect Donald Trump's proposed initiative to eliminate birthright citizenship from the Constitution.

Tong, a Democrat and the son of immigrants from Taiwan and China, indicates his readiness to file a lawsuit should Trump pursue this plan, which aims to enhance deportation efforts. President Trump has indicated a commitment to executing the largest deportation operation in the US history during his second term. He has appointed Tom Homan as "border czar" and nominated Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

In expressing his dedication to preserving the pathway to citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants, Tong reflects on his personal journey, stating, "I grew up working side-by-side with my parents in our family’s Chinese restaurant, and in one generation I’ve gone from that Chinese restaurant kitchen to be the attorney general of the state of Connecticut. That only happens one place in this world, and that’s in America."

Tong's commitment to defending birthright citizenship aligns with ongoing discussions regarding immigration reform and border security, amidst Republican efforts for stricter immigration laws. While some legal experts assert that abolishing birthright citizenship would necessitate a constitutional amendment, others argue that the existing Constitution does not extend this right to children of undocumented immigrants.

Trump is anticipated to address this contentious issue early in his presidency. His five children fulfil the criteria for automatic US citizenship as they were born to at least one US citizen parent and born within the United States. Consequently, despite Trump’s promise to reevaluate birthright citizenship—a policy that awards citizenship to children born in the US regardless of their parent's immigration status—his children would retain their citizenship.

As Trump prepares to assume office on January 20, he is anticipated to implement his immigration agenda, which emphasizes border reform and the deportation of a substantial number of undocumented immigrants. His remarks during a December 8 interview on NBC News' “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker” suggested a willingness to take executive action to end birthright citizenship, stirring discussions and uncertainties across social media platforms.

This proposed shift could have far-reaching implications, potentially affecting the citizenship status of children born to undocumented immigrants. While Trump's plans remain to be officially detailed, the prospect of significant changes in the US immigration policy is taking shape as he transitions into his presidency.