Change to birthright citizenship would also affect visa holders

President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship states that babies born to many temporary residents of the United States – not just those in the country illegally – should be denied automatic citizenship, a dramatic rejection rights that have been part of the Constitution for over 150 years. years.

If the courts do not block the order, babies born to women living legally but temporarily in the United States – such as people studying on student visas or workers hired by high-tech companies – will not be automatically recognized by the federal government. as U.S. citizens if the father is also not a permanent resident.

Mr. Trump’s aides told reporters Monday morning that the order would apply to “children of illegal aliens born in the United States.” In fact, the text of the order signed by Mr. Trump, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” goes much further.

“This is a shocking attack on people in this country who are here legally, who are following the rules and who are benefiting the country,” said David Leopold, chair of the immigration practice at law firm UB Greensfelder. “We’re talking about people who are doing cutting-edge research in the United States, researchers, people who are here to help us.”

The order was part of a series of actions Mr. Trump authorized on Monday to realize his vision of a country with far less immigration. Despite his claims, he repeated Monday: “I agree with legal immigration; I like that,” the president’s new orders would also significantly narrow the options of those seeking to legally enter the United States.

Many of the president’s closest advisers, including Stephen Miller, his deputy chief of staff and the architect of his immigration policy, have advocated a harder line on citizenship rights. During Mr. Trump’s first term, Mr. Miller and other aides pushed for immigrants to no longer be able to establish what they call a “foothold” in the United States by having a baby who automatically becomes a US citizen.