Trump Considers Congressional Legislation on Birthright Citizenship, Congratulates Xi Jinping

(Washington, July 30, CNA, via foreign press) After his executive order to restrict birthright citizenship was rejected by the Federal Supreme Court, U.S. President Donald Trump stated today that reforms could still be pursued through congressional legislation, and even "congratulated" Chinese President Xi Jinping in a post.

According to the "Citizenship Clause" of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868, all persons born in the United States are considered citizens. However, Trump has repeatedly criticized this principle for years and sought to redefine who is an American.

According to The Independent, after the Federal Supreme Court rejected his executive order prohibiting certain immigrant children from automatically acquiring citizenship, Trump posted on his social media platform "Truth Social" today: "I want to congratulate Chairman Xi and the great nation of China on their tremendous victory on birthright citizenship!"

Trump and his administration have repeatedly claimed that tens of thousands of pregnant women enter the U.S. in the final stages of pregnancy each year to ensure their newborns acquire U.S. citizenship, including potentially tens of thousands of Chinese nationals. This data has not been verified.

After the Federal Supreme Court ruled today to uphold birthright citizenship, Trump stated that this constitutional controversy could be "easily" resolved by Congress through legislation, urging Congress to begin terminating this "expensive and unfair" system today.

Some conservative justices on the Federal Supreme Court also believe that Trump can still pursue the path through Congress.

Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his dissenting opinion: "Congress can and should address this situation."

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, appointed by Trump, joined the majority opinion but pointed out that Congress still has the authority to amend or enact new laws to create exceptions to birthright citizenship for "children of illegal immigrants or short-term foreign visitors."

However, legal experts generally consider Trump's path a "dead end." Legal groups indicate that pursuing the congressional route has a low chance of success and will encounter the same constitutional challenges.

The U.S. Senate requires at least 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, meaning a bill would need at least 7 Democratic defectors to reach the threshold. Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, plus ratification by the states.

Taryn Wilgus Null, director of the Democracy Defenders Fund, told the media today: "This is not a practical consideration at all."

She said Trump "doesn't understand how the system works, nor does he understand the Constitution. The Federal Supreme Court ruled that this executive order was unconstitutional... and the only way to change the Constitution is to amend it."

Despite this, Republican lawmakers have begun to take action. Senator Rand Paul introduced a constitutional amendment bill in April, attempting to re-restrict the qualifications for newborns to acquire U.S. citizenship. (Compiled by Tsai Chia-min) 0701

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