President Donald Trump said birthright citizenship is a disgrace on Thursday, criticizing the legal obstacles to his immigration policies [2].

The president's comments signal a continued push to dismantle a long-standing legal doctrine that grants U.S. citizenship to anyone born on American soil. This effort targets children born to undocumented immigrants or those with temporary status, potentially altering the demographic and legal landscape of the U.S.

Trump addressed the issue during a video appearance on May 21, 2026 [2]. He said those who blocked an executive order he signed in January 2025 [1]. That order sought to deny automatic citizenship to children of undocumented or temporary-status immigrants [1].

“La ciudadanía por nacimiento es una vergüenza,” Trump said, which translates to “birthright citizenship is a disgrace.” He said the individuals benefiting from these policies, “No son personas que aman a nuestro país,” or “They are not people who love our country.”

The president is using these public statements to pressure the courts to overturn the birthright citizenship doctrine associated with the 14th Amendment [3]. This legal strategy follows a pattern of challenges against the automatic granting of citizenship. Earlier this year, reports indicated that Trump continued to push his legal challenges against the practice [4].

The administration's goal is to remove the incentive for immigrants to enter the U.S. to secure citizenship for their children. By framing the issue as a matter of national loyalty and legal reform, the president is positioning the courts as the final arbiter of a policy that has existed for generations.

““La ciudadanía por nacimiento es una vergüenza.””

This escalation indicates the administration is seeking a judicial reversal of the 14th Amendment's interpretation. If the courts side with the president, it would end a century of legal precedent and fundamentally change the requirements for U.S. citizenship, likely leading to a significant increase in the number of stateless or undocumented individuals born within the U.S.