America’s 47th president, Donald Trump has signed an executive order eliminating birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants.
The signing took place at the White House, nearly eight hours after his inauguration.
Trump described it as a significant move, claiming, “People have been wanting this for decades.”
Earlier in the day, White House officials outlined the new policy, clarifying that the federal government will no longer automatically grant citizenship to children of illegal immigrants born on U.S. soil, effective for future cases.
Although Trump had raised the issue during his campaign, the decision is likely to spark legal debates.
Critics argue it may conflict with the 14th Amendment, which affirms, “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.”
