Trump vows to end birthright citizenship on day one of his presidency

In the United States, former President Donald Trump has laid out a threatening immigration agenda as he seeks re-election in November 2024. One of his principal goals is to end birthright citizenship, a longstanding constitutional guarantee that grants citizenship to individuals born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' legal status. This policy is enshrined in the 14th Amendment and has been upheld by Supreme Court rulings. Trump has emphasized this as a central aspect of his campaign, aiming to sign an executive order to immediately rescind the existing protections if he returns to office. Alongside the push against birthright citizenship, Trump plans to escalate his efforts for mass deportation, building on the significant crackdown seen during his first term. His agenda threatens to impact millions of undocumented immigrants, complicating their lives and potentially leading to family separations. Moreover, a revived version of the “Muslim ban” that restricts travel from certain countries features prominently in his proposed reforms, which are indicative of a broader effort to reshape America's immigration landscape. Additionally, Trump aims to severely restrict legal immigration pathways which include tightening the granting of green cards and limiting high-skilled H-1B visas. This increase in restrictions on legal immigration is suggested to be the largest cut in U.S. history, fundamentally altering the flow of immigrants into the country and sparking fears of a declining economy due to the loss of skilled workers. Analysts warn that Trump's immigration policies, particularly those that promote mass deportation and revive the “Remain in Mexico” policy, would have long-lasting economic ramifications. A significant decline in immigration may harm the country’s GDP and exacerbate labor shortages, ultimately affecting the broader economy. As the political landscape continues to evolve in anticipation of the elections, Trump's proposals draw sharp criticism and prompt threats of legal challenges from various advocacy groups, keen to protect the rights of immigrants.