Ending Birthright Citizenship Would Violate Constitution, Further Politicize Immigration

Washington, D.C.—In response to President Trump’s comments that he is considering signing an executive order that would eliminate the right to U.S. citizenship for children born in the United States to noncitizens, Human Rights First’s Eleanor Acer issued the following statement:

President Trump’s preposterous suggestion that he can eliminate birthright citizenship—a right guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment—is nothing more than another crass attempt to galvanize his base ahead of the midterm elections. Not only would such an order violate the U.S. Constitution, but it is clearly aimed at dividing, rather than uniting, the nation. Instead of targeting children born in this country, refugees and others as undeserving of rights, the president should focus on upholding the Constitution, U.S. treaty obligations, and the rule of law.

For more information or to speak with Acer, contact Corinne Duffy at [email protected].