US President Donald Trump has claimed that America&rsquo;s birthright citizenship laws were created to grant citizenship to children of enslaved people, arguing that the provision is now being misused by wealthy immigrants. In an interview with Politico, Trump said that striking down his executive order would have major consequences as the matter heads to the Supreme Court.
Trump reiterated that the landmark case underpinning birthright citizenship dates back to the Civil War era and was designed specifically to address the status of formerly enslaved families. He argued that the rule was never intended for foreign nationals who briefly enter the United States and secure citizenship for their children.
According to Trump, ending the current system is necessary because the country cannot sustain large numbers of new arrivals seeking residency benefits. Immediately after returning to office in January 2025, Trump signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship for children born in the US after a 30-day window from January 20.
The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, guarantees citizenship to all individuals born or naturalised in the United States. It was enacted shortly after the Civil War to protect the rights of formerly enslaved people. Trump&rsquo;s order directly challenges this constitutional provision, prompting multiple lawsuits across federal courts.
In June 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that lower courts do not have the authority to issue nationwide injunctions blocking a presidential order. The top court has since taken up the case to examine whether Trump&rsquo;s policy stands up to constitutional scrutiny.

President links birthright citizenship to Civil War-era intent as case heads to SCOTUS

Trump Defends Move to End Birthright Citizenship

President links birthright citizenship to Civil War-era intent as case heads to SCOTUS

December 10, 2025 | 23:09 IST