
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has promised to as soon as he gets into office to make good on campaign promises aiming and redefining what it means to be American. But any efforts to halt the policy would face steep legal hurdles. Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen. It’s been in place for decades and applies to children born to someone in the country illegally or in the U.S. on a tourist or student visa who plans to return to their home country. It’s not the practice of every country, and Trump and his supporters have argued that the system is being abused and that there should be tougher standards for becoming an American citizen. But others say this is a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, it would be extremely difficult to overturn and even if it’s possible, it’s a bad idea. Here’s a look at birthright citizenship, what Trump has said about it and the prospects for ending it: During an interview Sunday on Trump said he “absolutely” planned to halt birthright citizenship once in office. “We’re going to end that because it’s ridiculous,” he said. Trump and other opponents of birthright citizenship have argued that it creates an incentive for people to come to the U.S. illegally or take part in pregnant women enter the U.S. specifically to give birth so their children can have citizenship before returning to their home countries. “Simply crossing the border and having a child should not entitle anyone to citizenship,” said Eric Ruark, director of research for NumbersUSA, which argues for reducing immigration. The organization supports changes that would require at least one parent to be a permanent legal resident or a U.S. citizen for their children to automatically get citizenship. Others have argued that ending birthright citizenship would profoundly damage the country. “One of our big benefits is that people born here are citizens, are not an illegal underclass. There’s better assimilation and integration of immigrants and their children because of birthright citizenship,” said Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the pro-immigration Cato Institute. In 2019, the Migration Policy Institute estimated that 5.5 million children under age 18 lived with at least one parent in the country illegally in 2019, representing 7% of the U.S. child population. The vast majority of those children were U.S. citizens. The nonpartisan think tank said during Trump’s campaign for president in 2015 that the number of people in the country illegally would “balloon” if birthright citizenship were repealed, creating “a self-perpetuating class that would be excluded from social membership for generations.” In the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress ratified the 14th Amendment in July 1868. That amendment assured citizenship for all, including Black people. “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” the 14th Amendment says. “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.” But the 14th Amendment didn’t always translate to everyone being afforded birthright citizenship. For example, it wasn’t until 1924 that Congress finally granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. A key case in the history of birthright citizenship came in 1898, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the states. The federal government had tried to deny him reentry into the county after a trip abroad on grounds he wasn’t a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some have argued that the 1898 case clearly applied to children born of parents who are both legal immigrants to America but that it’s less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status or, for example, who come for a short-term like a tourist visa. “That is the leading case on this. In fact, it’s the only case on this,” said Andrew Arthur, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports immigration restrictions. “It’s a lot more of an open legal question than most people think.” Some proponents of immigration restrictions have argued the words “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” in the 14th Amendment allows the U.S. to deny citizenship to babies born to those in the country illegally. Trump himself used that language in his 2023 announcement that he would aim to end birthright citizenship if reelected. Trump wasn’t clear in his Sunday interview how he aims to end birthright citizenship. Asked how he could get around the 14th Amendment with an executive action, Trump said: “Well, we’re going to have to get it changed. We’ll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.” Pressed further on whether he’d use an executive order, Trump said “if we can, through executive action.” He gave a lot more details in a . In it, he said he would issue an executive order the first day of his presidency, making it clear that federal agencies “require that at least one parent be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident for their future children to become automatic U.S. citizens.” Related Articles Trump wrote that the executive order would make clear that children of people in the U.S. illegally “should not be issued passports, Social Security numbers, or be eligible for certain taxpayer funded welfare benefits.” This would almost certainly end up in litigation. Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute said the law is clear that birthright citizenship can’t be ended by executive order but that Trump may be inclined to take a shot anyway through the courts. “I don’t take his statements very seriously. He has been saying things like this for almost a decade,” Nowrasteh said. “He didn’t do anything to further this agenda when he was president before. The law and judges are near uniformly opposed to his legal theory that the children of illegal immigrants born in the United States are not citizens.” Trump could steer Congress to pass a law to end birthright citizenship but would still face a legal challenge that it violates the Constitution.
NoneIn a significant move, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension of the automatic work permit renewal period for H-4 and L-2 visa holders. The renewal term will now be a considerable 540 days instead of 180 days, as of January 13, 2025. Many spouses of H-1B and L-1 visa holders continue to experience delays in job authorization; the updated regulation attempts to address this problem. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applications that were filed on or after May 4, 2022, or that were ongoing, are subject to the new regulation. People affected by lengthy processing timeframes applauded the extension, especially those working in corporate and technical sectors that depend significantly on foreign experts. Given that a sizable fraction of H-1B and L-1 visa holders are from India, the adjustment is anticipated to benefit a huge number of people. Concerns over the disturbance brought on by processing delays prompted the DHS to take this action. By extending the work permit's validity, qualified applicants will be able to keep their jobs while awaiting EAD renewals by avoiding gaps in employment authorization. DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas stressed that this reform would lower administrative barriers, which would help companies and employees alike and boost the American economy. "This decision will help eliminate red tape and ensure individuals eligible for employment can continue contributing to our communities," Mayorkas said. Ur M. Jaddou, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), further highlighted that the change is part of ongoing efforts to streamline the immigration process and support the national economy. Understanding the H-1B, H-4, L-1, and L-2 VisasEmployers in the United States can recruit foreign experts in specialized sectors like technology, engineering, and finance by using the H-1B visa, which is a non-immigrant visa. A bachelor's degree is usually required for these positions. However, spouses and unmarried children under 21 of H-1B visa holders are eligible for the H-4 visa. Although family companionship is the main purpose of the visa, certain H-4 holders are able to apply for work permission. Employees in executive, management, or specialized knowledge positions are transferred to U.S. branches of foreign corporations using the L-1 visa. Executives and managers are under the L-1A category, whereas workers with specific expertise fall under the L-1B category. Dependents of L-1 visa holders, such as wives and children under 21, are eligible to work while in the United States and are awarded L-2 visas. Significant Benefits for Indian NationalsThe majority of people with H-1B and L-1 visas are Indian. 72% of all H-1B visa holders in fiscal year 2023 were Indian citizens. In 2024, the pattern persisted, with 72.3% of the 386,000 H-1B visas granted to Indian immigrants. Given the preponderance of Indian H-1B holders in the United States, the overlap is significant even if the number of H-4 visas granted to Indians is not publicly available. The United States granted 83,277 L-2 and 76,671 L-1 visas in 2023. Although there are no precise nationality breakdowns for these groups, it is generally acknowledged that a sizable portion are Indian. These visa holders will be significantly impacted by the prolongation of the automatic work permit renewal term, especially those who rely on their spouses' income and want to keep their careers stable in the United States. XIPHIAS Immigration's managing director, Varun Singh, underlined the significance of the ruling, pointing out that it will give thousands of Indian families much-needed relief. "For families relying on dual incomes and professionals striving to maintain career continuity in the U.S., this decision ensures stability and financial security," Singh stated. Implications for U.S. Economy and Immigration SystemIt is anticipated that the policy shift would have wider effects on the American economy and immigration system. The new regulation will minimize labor disruptions and promote economic stability by eliminating a significant obstacle in work permit renewals. Employees won't have to worry about their jobs being interrupted because of processing delays, while employers will benefit from less delays and ambiguity over their workers' work authorization status. American businesses, especially those in the engineering and technology fields, mostly depend on highly qualified foreign workers. By guaranteeing that their personnel is retained without experiencing any job gaps, this policy move seeks to assist them. The U.S. government's larger initiatives to expedite the immigration process include the lengthening of the work permit renewal term. Employers and candidates have historically been plagued by red tape, which the USCIS is still working to remove. Since the U.S. economy depends on thousands of highly qualified workers from across the globe, the government understands how crucial it is to have an effective immigration system in place to guarantee the nation's continuous development and competitiveness in the global market. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.
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Islamabad chaos: PM orders swift action against 'lawbreakers'NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Judge had discussed the MVP award with Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, the NL winner in 2015 and ’21. “I was telling him, `Man, I’m going to try to catch up to you with these MVPs here, man,’” Judge recalled. “He’d say, hopefully, he could stay a couple ahead of me, which I think he’ll do.” Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in 2022 voting . He didn’t pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. He was the first player to twice become an unanimous MVP. He combined with Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023 for the first year both MVPs were unanimous. Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series title , playing the final three games with a torn labrum in his left shoulder . Ohtani became the first primary DH to win an MVP. He joined Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues. Ohtani is the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each). Balloting was conducted before the postseason. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 31 stolen bases and 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs. When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. He is the Yankees' 22nd MVP winner, four more than any other team. Judge was hitting .207 with six homers and 18 RBIs through April, then batted .352 with 52 homers and 126 RBIs in 127 games. “March and April were not my friend this year.” Judge said. “Just keep putting in the work and things are going to change. You can’t mope. You can’t feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York, nobody’s going to feel sorry for you. So you just got to go out there and put up the numbers?” Balloting was conducted before the postseason. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB