President Donald J. Trump said birthright citizenship should not extend to the children of Chinese billionaires during an announcement on refrigerant regulations Thursday.
The comments come as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a closely watched case regarding the legal interpretation of birthright citizenship, a central political flashpoint for the administration.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump questioned the current application of the law. "You step into our country and all of a sudden you’re a citizen," Trump said [1].
Trump targeted wealthy foreign nationals in his remarks. "This was not meant for Chinese billionaires to have their children become citizens of our country," Trump said [1].
The president has previously taken executive action to alter these policies. Trump signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship on Jan. 20, 2025 [3]. However, a federal judge placed a temporary nationwide block on that order on a Thursday [4].
In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged the judiciary to align with his view of the law. "THEY SHOULD USE THEIR POWERS OF COMMON SENSE FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY," Trump said [2].
The current Supreme Court proceedings are expected to determine whether the executive branch has the authority to restrict citizenship granted by birth on U.S. soil, a practice historically rooted in the 14th Amendment.
“"This was not meant for Chinese billionaires to have their children become citizens of our country."”
The administration is attempting to redefine the 14th Amendment's guarantee of citizenship by birth, shifting the focus toward the intent of the parents. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the executive order, it would represent a fundamental shift in U.S. nationality law and could lead to significant diplomatic tensions with China.
