Trump proposes deportation of US citizens for crimes

In a controversial statement during a visit to a migrant detention center, President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of deporting U.S. citizens who commit violent crimes. This proposal, which has raised constitutional concerns, comes in light of Trump's persistent focus on crime associated with immigrants to the United States. Legal experts have highlighted the unconstitutionality of such actions, citing the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Trump’s comments were framed around his perception of certain U.S. citizens, born within the country, categorizing them as 'bad people' deserving deportation. The context of these claims stems from a broader administration policy that includes reviewing processes around immigration status and denaturalization, particularly focusing on serious offenses like torture and human trafficking. However, experts point out that the legal framework for deporting U.S. citizens is fundamentally flawed, as all natural-born citizens are protected under the 14th Amendment. Amanda Frost, a law professor, noted that while targeting naturalized citizens is theoretically possible under strict conditions, unrelated crimes would not suffice for denaturalization. Trump's admission of not knowing the legal status of such deportation tactics, combined with his indications of pursuing further legal assessments, underscores the precarious nature of the proposal and the potential implications for citizenship rights in the country.