Many people in Tennessee have been concerned about President Donald Trump’s controversial approach to immigration. People who are immigrants themselves have become worried about their status, even if everything seems to be in place. The Trump administration is now floating a new trial balloon, although experts say it would be impossible to implement. In a press conference, Trump told reporters that his administration was examining the possibility for ending birthright citizenship. In the United States, the children of non-citizens born in the country automatically receive citizenship at birth. Despite birthright citizenship being part of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Trump labeled it “frankly ridiculous”.
Controversial proclamations about immigration have become a defining feature of the Trump administration and have sparked racial tensions and allegations of xenophobia. Nevertheless, many of the administration’s attempted rollbacks of immigration rights have been at least temporarily halted by federal courts. Immigration advocates and some states have filed suit against multiple regulatory changes launched by the administration, including attempts to redefine refugee status or block asylum seekers at the southern border. Most recently, the administration has attempted to expand the definition of “public charge” so that documented immigrants who access services like Section 8 housing, food stamps or Medicaid could later be denied green cards or visa extensions.
Experts say that despite Trump’s comments that he was exploring an executive order to end birthright citizenship, he does not have the authority to do so. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all persons born in the country, and it cannot be overridden by a presidential order.
However, many people are concerned about their future in the country. People who want to adjust their status or protect their ability to remain in the U.S. can consult an immigration law attorney about how they can best ensure their rights.