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In this episode, I talk with Agustina Vergara Cid, an immigration policy expert, to break down the complex issue of birthright citizenship and President Trump’s day-one executive order attempting to alter it.
We discuss the history and legal foundation of birthright citizenship, tracing its roots to the 14th Amendment and the 1898 Supreme Court case, Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed that anyone born on U.S. soil (except for children of diplomats) is an American citizen.
Agustina explains how Trump’s executive order aims to deny citizenship to children of non-citizen visa holders and undocumented immigrants—something she believes is a direct constitutional challenge. We explore the motivation behind the order, the likelihood of it surviving court scrutiny, and how immigration laws in Europe and the U.S. differ, particularly in how they impact assimilation.
We also discuss:
- The myth of “anchor babies” and why the 21-year waiting period makes it an unlikely incentive.
- How countries like Germany have struggled with immigration assimilation due to restrictive citizenship policies.
- The broader implications of Trump’s immigration strategy, including targeting legal immigrants and even denaturalized citizens.
- The welfare state argument, whether immigrants receive massive government payments, and how cities like New York are handling recent arrivals.
- Why Agustina believes America should strive for more Americans, not fewer, and the economic and cultural benefits of a strong immigration policy.
- This was an insightful conversation about what it means to be an American, how immigration policies shape the nation, and the real-world impact of political rhetoric.
Agustina Vergara Cid, LL.B. and LL.M., is a Young Voices contributor focusing on immigration policy. Her commentary has appeared in The Orange County Register, Newsweek, and The Hill. Follow her on X: @agustinavcid
Follow Agustina Vergara Cid on:
Twitter/X: @agustinavcid
Instagram: @agustinavcid
Ending Birthright Citizenship Won’t Make America Great – www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/01/29/ending_birthright_citizenship_wont_make_america_great_152263.html
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