As the day of the presidential inauguration approaches, many citizens of the United States reluctantly wait. President-elect Donald Trump has declared that when he takes office, he will end birthright citizenship. Although he attempted to do the same thing during his first term as president, no action of that occurred. Both times, Trump argued that birthright citizenship creates a motivation for people to come to the U.S. illegally, or birth tourism.
Trump’s proposal raises important constitutional and moral concerns, directly challenging many longstanding interpretations of the 14th Amendment and weakening many principles of equal rights at the core of the nation’s identity. Hence, Trump’s actions will shake the very foundation on which America was built, if this proposal comes to play.
“I was born in Cuba and came when I was a baby. My dad was already working in the U.S. when I was born so my mom and I could come. I genuinely don’t think it’s right to take away birthright from people because, at the end of the day, they are still citizens of the U.S. First of all, nobody is above the law and secondly, the fact that Trump thinks that he could change the Constitution is dumb. I feel like if he goes through with this, it will end in warfare and nationwide depression,” sophomore Emily Garcell said.
Besides being impossible to implement, the plan Trump has proposed is beyond any margin of constitutionality. Being put into writing, this has strongly been upheld for over a century as the important foundation of birthright citizenship. Trump‘s declaration of being able to eliminate this constitutional right by executive action is legally wrong and an undisputed overreach of presidential powers.
“The decision to bypass the 14th Amendment by using his executive power saddens and changes my opinion on how leaders choose to execute their power. The fact that Trump is trying to get above the law and end our birthright citizenships just because he hates immigrants tarnishes the American dream that people around the world wish for,” senior Christopher Gonzalez said.
People come to America chasing the American Dream, to leave behind a lousy life, start afresh and find success in a country that offers them opportunities for stability and a future for their children. Birthright citizenship has long been part of that American Dream, assuring those born on its soil of the right to belong and allowing them to contribute to the nation fully and be engaged in every way. To put it in simple and saddening words, if Trump’s proposal goes through, then the children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents do not have birthright citizenship and are denied the opportunities their families sacrificed everything to achieve.
“I think it is an unjust decision. Many parents put their lives at stake and fight every odd to give their children and future generations a better life. People come here for the American dream, for a better life and financial stability. If Trump tries to go through with this idea, the American people should decide whether or not it should be implemented,” senior Bridghett Vasquez said.
Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy from 2017 is an example of the consequences a policy such as the birth citizenship policy could have on families. This current immigration policy is known for its emphasis on strictness for imposing disciplinary action regardless of the circumstances or individual. Through this policy, he has separated more than 5,000 children from their parents, resulting in a lack of documents that would allow them to be reunited. Not only is he tearing families apart, but also ruining future lives.
“This is an injustice. People who are born in the country should have a right to have their nationality there, which backed up by the Constitution, applies here too. I feel this proposal is a violation of our rights and nobody can take away those rights, especially a temporary president,” senior Isis Meraz said.
This policy, if pursued, will force millions to be nationless, tear families apart and serve as a bad example for future and current rulers. It is a policy that could sabotage the very essence of equality and justice defining America. Trump’s policy must be rejected in defense of the rule of law and democracy for the sake of the citizens of the U.S. Not only a careless proposal but also a dangerous one, it has the potential to serve a catalyst for a chain reaction an inadequate example for future leaders who might follow in his steps and attempt to overthrow the rule of law.
