Anyone born in the United States automatically becomes a citizen, as it is their birthright through the law. The 14th Amendment of the Constitution states all “persons born or naturalized in the United States” are “citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” The amendment to the constitution, ratified in 1868, developed after the civil war to ensure that slaves could become American citizens. Today, the law is abused by those who illegally migrate into the country.
Donald Trump recently vowed to end birthright citizenship if elected. “Joe Biden has launched an illegal foreign invasion of our country, allowing a record number of illegal aliens to storm across our borders,” Trump said on Twitter. “Even though these millions of illegal border crossers have entered the country unlawfully, all of their future children will become automatic U.S. citizens. Can you imagine?” Trump believes birthright citizenship incentivizes migrants to illegally cross into the US and calls it a form of tourism.
Only 33 countries currently offer unrestricted birthright citizenship, mainly in the Americas. However, people are not lining up at their borders to enter to give birth there. Other countries place restrictions, usually requiring one parent to be a citizen already which is often referred to as jus sanguinis (the right of blood). Jus soli (“right of the soil”) that permits citizenship based on land in which the child is born.
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) estimates that at least 300,000 children are granted birthright citizenship in the US, composing 7.5% of all births in the nation annually. It is estimated that this costs taxpayers over $2.4 billion annually. This data was collected prior to Biden opening the borders. Illegal migrants may receive benefits on behalf of their birthright or anchor baby. Taxpayers pay at least $6.7 annually just on Medicaid for these children. Legal migrants are not afforded these rights, and Trump is correct in saying there is an incentive to enter illegally since the government provides funding.
The 14th Amendment no longer holds true for its original intent. America is broke — we cannot afford to sustain our own citizens or infrastructure and the migrant crisis has become a massive burden on taxpayers.