President Donald Trump signed several immigration-related executive orders within hours of taking office. Most of these directives are aimed at tightening checks on foreign nationals, suspending the review of refugee and asylum applications, and enforcing stricter measures along the U.S.-Mexico border. However, one of the most significant decisions that will impact thousands of people is the limitation of birthright citizenship.
In this article, we’ll explain what changes foreign nationals can expect in U.S. immigration law after Donald Trump’s return to office in 2025.
What is Birthright Citizenship?
Birthright citizenship is the automatic legal right of a child born within a country’s territory to acquire citizenship, regardless of their parents’ citizenship status.
In the United States, this right is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. However, President Donald Trump’s new executive order aims to end this longstanding policy.
What Changes Have Been Implemented?
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting birthright citizenship for certain categories of children born in the U.S. The order will take effect on February 19, 2025.
This will apply to:
- Children born to mothers who are in the U.S. illegally if the father is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Children born to mothers in the U.S. on temporary visas if the father does not have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. This includes holders of visas such as B-1/B-2, F-1, H-1B, L-1, and others.
How Will This Impact Foreign Children in the U.S.?
Federal agencies have been instructed to stop issuing and recognizing citizenship documents for these children. They will be denied U.S. passports and will be required to obtain a dependent non-immigrant status.
These measures challenge established legal interpretations, and altering birthright citizenship will likely require constitutional amendments, which face significant political obstacles. The administration’s actions could lead to legal disputes and uncertainty for many families.
Other Immigration Policy Changes
Donald Trump’s immigration reforms include the following:
- Changes to the H-1B Visa Program
- Stricter qualifications for specialized professions.
- Raising the minimum annual salary for applicants to $120,000.
- Increased scrutiny and documentation requirements.
- Revocation of Biden-Era Orders
Several executive orders by the Biden administration have been revoked, including those aimed at promoting legal immigration and attracting foreign talent in the field of artificial intelligence. - Strengthened Border Controls
Enhanced screening procedures for foreign nationals and the declaration of a state of emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. - Suspension of Refugee Programs
The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has been suspended for at least three months, starting January 27, 2025.
Conclusion
With Donald Trump’s return to office, U.S. immigration policy has entered a new phase. These changes will impact thousands of individuals, so stay updated on the latest developments. We will continue to cover these critical changes on the Visit World portal.