On Inauguration Day, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders in the Oval Office, including one aimed at ending birthright citizenship. However, this action is expected to encounter significant legal challenges. According to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, anyone born on U.S. soil is considered a U.S. citizen. When a reporter noted that the order would likely face opposition in court, Trump responded, “You could be right,” and added, “We have good grounds.”
TNGnews gathered that during a call with reporters on Monday morning, incoming White House officials previewed a set of executive orders and actions the Trump administration planned to take regarding border security and immigration. One official stated, “We will protect the American people against invasion. This is about national security. This is about public safety, and this is about the victims of some of the most violent, abusive criminals we’ve seen enter our country in our lifetime. And it ends today.”
Among the executive actions discussed, officials indicated that Trump would declare a national emergency at the border and clarify the military’s role in “protecting the territorial integrity of the United States.” The planned actions include reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, ending the practice of “Catch and Release,” and completing the construction of the wall along the southern border.
Additionally, the administration intends to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, eliminate the ability of migrants caught between ports of entry to claim asylum, and suspend refugee resettlement for at least four months. Officials also mentioned that Trump would mandate enhanced vetting and screening of migrants and direct agencies to provide recommendations for suspending entry for migrants from “countries of particular concern.”
Furthermore, he aims to establish Homeland Security task forces to target undocumented gang members and criminals and restore the death penalty for individuals who murder law enforcement officers while being undocumented migrants. While one official referred to the call as a “preview” of the “actions to be taken today,” it was not clear whether all the orders would be enacted on that day. Additionally, many of these plans would require cooperation from international partners, such as Mexico, and are likely to trigger legal disputes.
