President Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship is getting congressional backup from border state Republicans and others. (Getty Images)
In what has become perhaps his most controversial move yet, Trump issued an executive order on his first day back in the Oval Office to end the practice of granting birthright citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants.
The order – titled "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship" – states that "the privilege of United States citizenship does not automatically extend to persons born in the United States" when that person’s parents are either unlawfully present in the U.S. or when the parents’ presence is lawful but temporary.
Since he signed the order, lawsuits have been filed by two dozen Democratic-led states and cities and several civil rights groups. Four federal district judges have issued rulings temporarily blocking the order as it works through the long judicial process.
The latest ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin last week, said the "Constitution confers birthright citizenship broadly, including to persons within the categories described" in the order.
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Migrants attempting to enter the U.S. illegally rush a border wall, March 21, 2024, knocking down Texas National Guardsmen before they were halted. (James Breeden for New York Post / Mega)
Epstein believes Trump’s order would restore the constitutional principle that only those who are subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. – that is loyal, law-abiding Americans – are citizens. He believes the case will likely end up in the Supreme Court, where he is confident it will ultimately be upheld.
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"My expectation is that this is a no-brainer. The law is clear, ‘subject to the jurisdiction thereof’ has to mean something," he said. "So, it's not a very hard question. It's a very clear question and the law has a very clear answer."
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/president-trump-founding-fathers-spinning-graves-because-birthright-citizenship-abuse