Trump Challenges the 14th Amendment, Supreme Court Steps In!
The U.S. Supreme Court has officially agreed to review the legality of President Donald Trump’s move to restrict birthright citizenship for children born on American soil. The highly controversial policy could reshape the interpretation of a key 19th-century constitutional provision long considered untouchable.
The decision came after the Department of Justice appealed a lower court ruling that struck down Trump’s executive order. The order instructed federal agencies not to recognize the citizenship of children born in the U.S. if both parents are neither U.S. citizens nor green card holders.
The lower court previously ruled that Trump’s policy violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which historically guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the United States. The ruling emerged from a class-action lawsuit filed by parents and children whose citizenship status is threatened by the directive.
The Supreme Court is expected to hold oral arguments during its current term and issue a ruling no later than the end of June, though no official date has been set.
Trump signed the policy on January 20, his first day back in office for his second term. The restriction on citizenship is part of a renewed push for tougher immigration measures, both legal and illegal. Immigration has long been one of the most contentious aspects of his presidency, drawing accusations of racial and religious discrimination from various groups.
The Trump administration argues that the 14th Amendment does not automatically grant citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants or to those who are in the U.S. only temporarily, such as foreign students or work-visa holders.
“This case will have a major impact on the security of all Americans and the sanctity of U.S. citizenship. The Trump administration looks forward to presenting its case on birthright citizenship on behalf of the American people,” said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.
Opponents, however, stress that constitutional guarantees cannot be altered by presidential order.
“No president can tamper with the fundamental promise of the 14th Amendment,” stated Cecillia Wang, National Legal Director of the ACLU, representing the plaintiffs. “We hope the Supreme Court will settle this issue once and for all during this term.”
Source: Newsmaker.id
