Washington:
Shortly after his inauguration, Donald Trump announced plans to issue a series of executive orders that will reshape the United States’ approach to citizenship and immigration. The 47th president aims to implement immediate changes to reduce the influx of migrants into the country.
Trump stated, “First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will be stopped, and efforts will be made to repatriate criminal aliens to their countries of origin. Additionally, troops will be deployed to the southern border to prevent unauthorized entry.”
Furthermore, Trump plans to end the practice of granting automatic citizenship to individuals born in the U.S., a tradition rooted in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly explained that asylum will be terminated, and a swift removal process without asylum options will be established. Birthright citizenship will also be eliminated.
Trump’s administration intends to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires individuals applying for entry at the Mexican border to await a decision before entering the U.S. The President also seeks to utilize the death penalty for non-citizens who commit capital crimes.
Court challenges
While Trump’s executive actions during his first term were reversed by the Biden administration, the new policies led to a surge in border crossings, prompting accusations of an “open border” policy and concerns about national security.
Despite the President’s efforts, legal experts believe that altering birthright citizenship through executive orders may face significant challenges in court. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council, emphasized the longstanding nature of birthright citizenship and the limited authority of the President to revoke it.
He cautioned that attempts to restrict immigration through executive actions could complicate the legal system and have long-term negative consequences.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
