Former assistant U.S. attorney Jim Trusty joined NTD to discuss the highly anticipated oral arguments about birthright citizenship made before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Trusty discussed Justice Samuel Alito’s reasoning in his question about a child born to an Iranian illegal immigrant who has a duty to provide military service to the Iranian government, the intent of the 14th Amendment as a civil rights measure for the children of former slaves, its relevance today, and how subsequent cases and legal discussion contribute to the emphasis on jurisdiction and allegiance to the United States.
Trusty also discussed how the rise of the birth tourism industry is taking advantage of birthright citizenship, its exploitation by adversaries to the United States, and potential provisions to protect against the political exploitation of the 14th Amendment.
He also spoke about the distinction between President Donald Trump’s original executive order, which targets exploitation, and the criticisms from the left that the president is trying to change the U.S. Constitution.
Trusty also responded to the arguments before the Court from the American Civil Liberties Union’s legal director, who argued the practice of 150 years of birthright citizenship was for everyone.
Trusty says the 14th Amendment is largely outdated, and that the United States is faced with a national security threat and an election integrity threat with large-scale, temporary interloping into the United States simply to get citizenship with no semblance of loyalty or interest in staying in America.