United States | Into a scrap

To end birthright citizenship, Trump misreads the constitution

It would also create huge practical problems

A 4-year-old girl carries a doll while walking with her immigrant mother.
Photograph: Getty Images
|CHICAGO

IN HIS INAUGURATION speech, Donald Trump promised that in his administration, “we will not forget our constitution.” The promise did not last long. Before the day was over, Mr Trump had signed an executive order that, if implemented, would apparently end birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the constitution. According to the plain text of the amendment, “all persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States”. It doesn’t mean what it appears to mean, Mr Trump claims.

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