Congressman Shri Thanedar has vehemently condemned President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to eliminate birthright citizenship, characterizing it as a direct assault on a fundamental principle of American democracy. A staunch supporter of the 14th Amendment, Thanedar expressed his dissent through social media, committing to oppose any initiatives aimed at eroding this constitutional right. He asserted that birthright citizenship is a privilege afforded to every American, and Trump’s threats to this essential tenet, which has been protected by the 14th Amendment, contradict the principles of the rule of law. Thanedar vowed to vigorously resist any attempts to deport American citizens.
The 14th Amendment, which has been in place for more than 150 years, guarantees citizenship to individuals born on U.S. territory. Trump has consistently criticized this provision, labeling it a “ridiculous” notion that fosters illegal immigration. During his initial term, he proposed the possibility of abolishing birthright citizenship via an executive order, a suggestion that was sidelined during the pandemic but has reemerged as a significant pledge for his upcoming term. Thanedar highlighted the constitutional safeguards that birthright citizenship offers, asserting that anyone born in America is inherently an American citizen. He firmly stated that any efforts to restrict or bypass birthright citizenship are both misguided and unconstitutional, and as a congressman, he will actively combat any attempts to diminish this right. The Migration Policy Institute has indicated that children born to Indian nationals on H-1B visas or green cards could encounter ambiguity regarding their citizenship status should Trump’s proposal be enacted.
