Trump wants to end birthright citizenship. Where do other countries stand?

June 27, 2025

President Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of migrants with illegal or temporary status will now proceed following a Supreme Court ruling limiting federal judges' powers to block presidential orders. The controversial policy, which challenges the 160-year-old interpretation of the 14th Amendment granting citizenship to anyone born in the US, will take effect in 30 days for the 28 states not participating in lawsuits against it. While polls suggest public support for Trump's position, legal scholars largely believe the order exceeds presidential authority and will likely be found unconstitutional when the Supreme Court eventually rules on its merits.

Who is affected

Children born in the US to migrants who are in the country illegally or on temporary visas
The 28 states that did not participate in the lawsuit against Trump's order
Potential migrants considering having children in the US
Federal judges whose power to issue nationwide injunctions has been limited

What action is being taken

Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship is proceeding and will take effect in 30 days in states not involved in lawsuits
Multiple lawsuits have been launched by Democratic-run states and cities, civil rights groups, and individuals
The Supreme Court is allowing the policy to start while lawsuits make their way through courts
The White House expects the Supreme Court to uphold the order when it rules on the merits in October

Why it matters

The order challenges a constitutional principle that has existed for nearly 160 years
It represents a significant shift in US immigration policy as part of Trump's broader crackdown on migration
The US would join a global trend of countries restricting birthright citizenship due to concerns over immigration and "birth tourism"
The Supreme Court's limitation on nationwide injunctions sets a precedent for how presidential orders can be challenged
The policy could potentially leave some children born in the US without citizenship status

What's next

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the birthright citizenship order itself at some future date
The order will take effect in 30 days for the 28 states not participating in the lawsuit

Read full article from source: BBC