Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, the son of immigrants from China and Taiwan, is personally invested in defending birthright citizenship, which President-elect Donald Trump vowed to end. Tong, the first Asian American elected to a statewide office in Connecticut, has pledged to sue Trump if he attempts to revoke birthright citizenship, a move that could be challenged by legal scholars due to the protections outlined in the 14th Amendment. The fight over birthright citizenship may be a battle that opponents of Trump have a good chance of winning, even with a conservative Supreme Court.
Trump has proposed signing an executive order to ensure that children born to parents without legal status in the U.S. do not receive U.S. citizenship automatically. He believes that birthright citizenship should only be granted if at least one parent is a citizen or legal resident. Supporters of limiting birthright citizenship argue that the language in the 14th Amendment does not include the children of undocumented immigrants. Conservatives have viewed immigration as a form of invasion, which could justify curtailing birthright citizenship.
Legal experts, including Judge James Ho, have affirmed that birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment and that it applies regardless of a person’s immigration status. Trump’s plans to end automatic birthright citizenship could face legal challenges, as opponents, including Tong and the American Civil Liberties Union, are prepared to sue if necessary. Tong emphasized that any limitation on birthright citizenship would violate the 14th Amendment and undermine the core principles of American constitutional law.
The debate over birthright citizenship reflects broader tensions in U.S. immigration policy, with states like Texas taking a hardline approach that could lead to conflicts with the Biden administration. By framing immigration as an invasion, conservatives seek to reshape policies on citizenship and migrant rights. However, critics argue that this perspective is rooted in white nationalism and would not hold up in court. Tong stressed the importance of upholding the 14th Amendment’s guarantees to ensure that all individuals residing in the U.S. are protected under the law.
As the Biden administration seeks to address immigration issues, the potential challenges to birthright citizenship proposed by Trump highlight the ongoing legal battles over the interpretation of U.S. constitutional law. Tong’s personal history as the child of immigrants and his rise to a position of prominence in Connecticut demonstrate the significance of the protection of birthright citizenship for individuals and communities across the country. Tong’s commitment to defending the 14th Amendment underscores the broader efforts to safeguard the rights and liberties enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
