Birthright Citizenship, What's the Big Deal?
January 20th arrived, and President Trump signed a slew of executive orders. Media coverage has been plentiful, dissecting what he signed and its potential impact on American society. However, many have come to believe that the American media’s primary goal is to sensationalize and keep us consuming more news, leaving us uncertain about the facts. Among the hot topics in recent days is birthright citizenship. Social media has been flooded with images, videos, and commentary—many expressing fear about retaining citizenship status. So, what is the truth? What is birthright citizenship, and how does this executive order affect us?
Birthright citizenship in the United States is a legal principle granting automatic citizenship to anyone born in the U.S., regardless of their parents’ citizenship or immigration status. This is enshrined in Section 1 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” The 14th Amendment, passed in 1866 and ratified in 1868, aimed to grant citizenship to formerly enslaved people. Post-Civil War, this amendment made sense to ensure equality under the law.
Fast forward to 2025, and birthright citizenship has become a topic of controversy for several reasons. Currently, about 30 countries worldwide offer unconditional birthright citizenship, with most of them located in the Americas. In contrast, most countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa impose additional conditions for citizenship. For example, consider a child born in France. If one parent is a French citizen and the other is an American living in France on a visa, the child automatically receives French citizenship. As long as one parent is a French citizen, the child is in the clear, regardless of how or when the parent acquired their citizenship. However, if neither parent is French, the child does not automatically receive citizenship, though they may acquire it later by living in France under specific conditions.
Why bring up France? Because the current panic and media “pot stirring” suggest many people misunderstand birthright citizenship. The newly proposed executive order introduces significant changes. It states that, to be granted U.S. citizenship at birth, at least one parent must be a U.S. citizen—a shift to a system similar to France’s. For example, if a Canadian couple living in the U.S. legally with green cards has a child, that child would no longer automatically receive U.S. citizenship simply by being born on American soil.
In times of widespread misinformation, it is crucial to stay informed and understand what you’re defending and voting for. Subscribe for more content and follow Conservative Women of NC on Instagram to learn more about the conservative community.
Xoxo,
A Once Closeted Conservative
