Former President Donald Trump, in his first interview since winning re-election, sat down for a 60-minute broadcast network segment to outline his priorities for the start of his second term. During the interview, he addressed plans for reforming birthright citizenship and discussed several other pressing issues slated for his January inauguration.
On the topic of Dreamers—immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children— Donald Trump signaled a new found willingness to work with Democrats. This marks a departure from his previous administration, which sought to terminate DACA, a program that shields approximately 700,000 young immigrants from deportation, but was ultimately blocked by the Supreme Court due to procedural issues. In this recent interview, Mr. Trump acknowledged the unique situations of these individuals, noting that many were brought to the U.S. at such a young age and that they often do not speak the language of their home countries. He later highlighted that many Dreamers are now middle-aged and reiterated his intent to protect them from deportation.
Furthermore, Mr. Trump discussed plans regarding birthright citizenship on his first day in office. He mentioned that he would try to reverse the constitutional guarantee that anyone born in the United States is a citizen regardless of the status of their parents. Although Mr.Trump insisted that the United States is the only country on the Earth that has birthright citizenship–this was quickly debunked. Over thirty other countries and territories have birthright citizenship, including Canada and Mexico.
Legal scholars have also weighed in, casting doubt on Mr.Trump’s ability to fulfill his promise to end birthright citizenship. Many scholars are positioned that the president has no power to overturn the right to citizenship because it is embodied in the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution explicitly states that “all persons born” in the United States “are citizens of the United States.” In discussing the constitutional difficulties, Mr. Trump explained, “we’re going to have to get it changed” and suggested that “we’ll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.”
Although Donald Trump has previously suggested he could end birthright citizenship through an executive order, this approach would likely face legal challenges because the president does not have authority to override constitutional provisions. The most definitive way for Mr. Trump to end birthright citizenship would be to amend the Constitution itself, requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths (38) of the states. Nonetheless, this is an incredibly difficult and lengthy process, making legal scholars believe that the possibility of this happening is very low.
As the January inauguration draws near, Trump’s remarks provide a glimpse into the months ahead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Former President Donald Trump’s 60 Minutes interview shed light on his priorities for the upcoming term, including controversial plans to address birthright citizenship and renewed willingness to work across party lines on issues like protecting Dreamers. While his proposals, particularly regarding constitutional amendments, face significant legal and procedural hurdles, the interview offers insight into the tone and focus of his second term.
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Disclosure: This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and regulations are subject to change, and individual cases may vary. For personalized guidance and assistance with your immigration needs, consult a qualified immigration attorney.
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