Trump Ends Birthright Citizenship in the US, Says Law Was ‘Designed for Slaves, Not the Wealthy’

In a seismic shift to long-standing American immigration policy, President Donald Trump has formally ended birthright citizenship — the constitutional guarantee that grants automatic citizenship to nearly all children born on U.S. soil. The announcement has triggered intense national debate, with the President insisting that the original intent of the provision has been “misunderstood for generations.”

According to the President, the birthright principle — rooted in the 14th Amendment — was crafted after the Civil War to ensure that the children of formerly enslaved people were recognized as full citizens. “It was for slaves, not for rich foreigners flying in to give birth,” Trump argued during a briefing, a statement reported by senior administration officials. His position marks the clearest attempt yet to reinterpret the amendment’s scope without pursuing a full constitutional rewrite.

The move follows years of debate over so-called “birth tourism,” where pregnant women from other countries travel to the United States to deliver their babies. The administration has long argued that the practice exploits American laws and imposes what it describes as an unfair burden on public services. According to officials familiar with internal discussions, the White House considers ending birthright citizenship a necessary step to curb what it views as systemic abuse.

Legal scholars, however, have pushed back sharply. Many experts note that the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause does not specify socioeconomic status and has historically been interpreted to apply broadly. Eye-witness commentary from constitutional analysts suggests that the decision will almost certainly face court challenges, with opponents arguing that only Congress — or the Supreme Court — can alter such a foundational principle.

Immigrant rights organizations also condemned the announcement, saying it could create a new class of stateless children and deepen social and legal inequalities. Advocacy groups reported by policy observers warn that families could face uncertainty for years if litigation drags on.

Despite the backlash, administration officials maintain that the policy is justified. According to senior aides, Trump believes the change restores what he describes as the “original meaning” of the amendment and aligns immigration rules with modern national-security priorities.

As the country braces for potential legal battles, the decision marks one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. citizenship policy in more than a century — setting the stage for a constitutional clash that could define the boundaries of American identity for years to come.