Key Takeaways
• Trump’s Executive Order 14156 aims to end birthright citizenship for children of noncitizen parents born in the US.
• The administration expands deportations nationwide and ends protections like DACA and TPS, affecting hundreds of thousands.
• Family-based immigration faces merit-based restrictions, higher visa fees, and limited access to federal benefits for noncitizens.
Becoming a US citizen has always been a major goal for many people living in the United States 🇺🇸 and around the world. The process, rights, and requirements for citizenship are set by laws and the Constitution. However, under President Trump’s second administration, there are major proposed changes that could affect who can become a US citizen, how the process works, and what rights and benefits are available to immigrants and their families. Many of these changes are already facing legal challenges, and the future remains uncertain for millions of people.
This guide explains the most important proposed changes, what they mean for people seeking US citizenship, and what steps you can take if you or your family might be affected. The information is organized into clear sections, with simple language and practical advice.
What Is US Citizenship and Birthright Citizenship?
US citizenship means that a person is recognized as a full member of the United States 🇺🇸, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it. Citizens can vote, work, travel freely, and receive protection from the US government. There are two main ways to become a US citizen:
- By birth: Most people born in the United States 🇺🇸 automatically become US citizens. This is called Birthright citizenship.
- By naturalization: People born outside the United States 🇺🇸 can become citizens through a legal process called naturalization, which involves meeting certain requirements, passing tests, and taking an oath.
Birthright citizenship is based on the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which says that anyone born in the United States 🇺🇸 is a citizen, no matter who their parents are. This rule has been in place since 1868 and has been supported by the Supreme Court for over 100 years.
Major Proposed Changes Under President Trump
President Trump’s administration has announced or already started several big changes to the US citizenship process. These changes could affect millions of people, including children born in the United States 🇺🇸, immigrants with legal status, and those seeking protection from harm. Here are the five most important changes:
1. Attempt to End Birthright Citizenship
President Trump signed Executive Order 14156 (“Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship”) on January 20, 2025. This order tries to stop automatic US citizenship for children born in the United States 🇺🇸 if neither parent is a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
- Who is affected?
- Children born in the United States 🇺🇸 to parents who are undocumented, have only temporary visas, or have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), if neither parent is a US citizen or green card holder.
- What does the order do?
- It tells federal agencies not to issue Social Security cards or US passports to these children.
- It says state-issued birth certificates that claim these children are citizens should not be recognized by the federal government.
- Legal status: The order was quickly challenged in court. On February 5, 2025, a federal judge stopped the order from taking effect, saying it goes against the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court later limited the judge’s order but did not decide if the executive order is legal or not. The final decision is still pending.
Implications: If this order is allowed to take effect, many children born in the United States 🇺🇸 could be denied citizenship, making it hard for them to get healthcare, go to school, work, or vote. They could become stateless, meaning no country recognizes them as citizens. This could create a group of people with no legal rights or protections.
2. Expansion of Deportation and Enforcement
The Trump administration is increasing efforts to remove undocumented immigrants from the United States 🇺🇸. The main changes include:
- Nationwide “expedited removal”: This allows for fast deportations without a court hearing. Before, this was mostly used near the border, but now it can be used anywhere in the country.
- No more “sensitive zones”: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents can now arrest people in places like schools, hospitals, and churches, which were previously considered off-limits.
- State and local enforcement: The administration is pressuring states and cities to help with deportations. States that refuse could lose federal funding. Some states are being encouraged to set up their own deportation systems.
Practical effects: These changes have made many immigrants afraid to go to school, seek medical care, or report crimes. There are also legal fights between the federal government and states or cities that want to protect immigrants.
3. Elimination or Restriction of Humanitarian and Relief Programs
Several programs that protect immigrants from deportation or help those in danger are being targeted for elimination:
- Ending DACA: The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program protects about 500,000 young people (“Dreamers”) who were brought to the United States 🇺🇸 as children. The administration plans to stop processing renewals, which would end protections for these individuals.
- Repealing Temporary Protected Status (TPS): TPS allows people from certain countries facing war or disasters to stay in the United States 🇺🇸. The administration wants to end all TPS designations, putting nearly 700,000 people at risk of deportation.
- Elimination of T and U visas: These visas help victims of human trafficking and serious crimes who help law enforcement. The administration plans to get rid of these visas.
Implications: Hundreds of thousands of people who have lived, worked, and built families in the United States 🇺🇸 could lose their legal status and face deportation. Many of these people have no safe place to return to, and their removal could break up families and harm communities.
4. Overhaul of Legal Immigration and Family Reunification
The Trump administration is also proposing big changes to legal immigration:
- Eliminating the Diversity Visa Lottery: This program allows about 50,000 people from countries with low immigration rates to come to the United States 🇺🇸 each year. The administration wants to end it.
- Restricting family-based immigration: The focus would shift to a “merit-based” system, where skills and education matter more than family ties. This would make it harder for US citizens and green card holders to bring family members to the United States 🇺🇸.
- Raising visa fees and setting quotas: The administration wants to increase the cost of applying for visas and limit the number of seasonal worker visas (H-2A and H-2B).
Implications: These changes would make it harder for families to reunite, reduce the diversity of immigrants, and make legal immigration more expensive and complicated.
5. New Barriers to Federal Benefits, Education, and Housing for Noncitizens
The administration is also proposing new rules that would limit access to government benefits and services for noncitizens:
- Federal funding and benefits: Only people with certain immigration statuses would be able to get federal grants, student loans, and housing help. Undocumented immigrants and families with mixed status (some members legal, some not) would be excluded.
- Mandatory E-Verify: All employers would have to use the E-Verify system to check if workers are allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸. This system sometimes makes mistakes and can wrongly deny jobs to legal immigrants.
- Impact on higher education: Colleges and universities that offer in-state tuition to undocumented students could lose access to federal student loans and grants.
Implications: These rules would make it harder for noncitizens to go to school, find housing, or get jobs. Even legal immigrants could be hurt if the E-Verify system makes mistakes.
Who Is Affected by These Changes?
These proposed changes could affect many different groups:
- Children born in the United States 🇺🇸 to noncitizen parents: They could lose their right to US citizenship if birthright citizenship is ended.
- Undocumented immigrants: They face a higher risk of deportation and losing access to services.
- DACA recipients and TPS holders: They could lose their legal protections and face removal from the country.
- Families seeking to reunite: It could become much harder and more expensive for US citizens and green card holders to bring family members to the United States 🇺🇸.
- Legal immigrants and workers: Mistakes in the E-Verify system could cost them jobs, and higher visa fees could make it harder to stay or bring family.
Legal and Political Context
The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution has guaranteed birthright citizenship since 1868. Most legal experts and civil rights groups say that President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship by executive order is unconstitutional. Courts have already blocked the order for now, but the final decision will likely come from the Supreme Court.
Many of the other changes are being made through executive orders and administrative rules, not through Congress. This means they can be challenged in court, and many states and cities are already fighting back.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes represent the biggest overhaul of US citizenship and immigration policy in generations, with far-reaching effects for millions of people.
Real-World Examples
- A child born in the United States 🇺🇸 to undocumented parents: Under current law, this child is a US citizen. If President Trump’s order takes effect, the child could be denied citizenship, making it hard to get a Social Security card, passport, or even go to school.
- A DACA recipient (“Dreamer”): Someone who has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since childhood, graduated from high school, and works legally could lose protection from deportation and the right to work if DACA ends.
- A family waiting to reunite: A US citizen who wants to bring a spouse or parent from another country could face longer waits, higher fees, or be denied if family-based immigration is restricted.
What Should You Do If You Are Affected?
If you or your family could be affected by these changes, here are some important steps to take:
- Stay informed: Follow updates from official sources like USCIS.gov and trusted legal organizations.
- Consult an immigration attorney: Legal advice is important, especially if you are at risk of losing status or benefits.
- Keep your documents up to date: Make sure you have copies of birth certificates, passports, visas, and other important papers.
- Connect with community organizations: Many local groups offer help, information, and support to immigrants and their families.
- Prepare for changes: Be ready for new rules about benefits, legal status, and access to services. Changes can happen quickly.
Comparing the Old and New Rules
| Area | Current Law/Practice | Proposed Change Under Trump |
|---|---|---|
| Birthright Citizenship | All born in US are citizens (14th Amendment) | Only if parent is US citizen or LPR |
| DACA and TPS | Protections for Dreamers and TPS holders | Programs ended, protections removed |
| Family-Based Immigration | Family ties are main basis for green cards | Shift to merit-based, fewer family visas |
| Diversity Visa Lottery | 50,000 visas per year for underrepresented countries | Program eliminated |
| Access to Benefits | Some benefits available regardless of status | Most benefits limited to certain statuses |
| Deportation Enforcement | Sensitive zones protected, judicial review required | No protected zones, expedited removal |
Rights and Pathways to Citizenship
Despite these proposed changes, the basic pathways to US citizenship remain:
- Birthright citizenship: Still protected by the 14th Amendment, but under legal threat.
- Naturalization: Most people become US citizens by applying for naturalization. This involves:
- Having a green card (lawful permanent resident status) for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a US citizen).
- Living in the United States 🇺🇸 for most of that time.
- Passing an English and civics test.
- Showing good moral character.
- Filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
For more information on how to apply, visit the USCIS official citizenship page.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Many proposed changes are not final yet. Most are being challenged in court, and the Supreme Court will likely decide on the biggest issues, like birthright citizenship.
- If you are a US citizen, your rights are secure, but your family members may be affected by changes to family-based immigration and benefits.
- If you are undocumented or have temporary status, you may face new risks and should seek legal advice.
- Stay connected to official sources and community organizations for the latest updates and support.
Where to Find More Information
For the most current and official information about US citizenship, immigration forms, and your rights, visit the USCIS website. This site provides up-to-date details on eligibility, forms, and policy changes.
If you need legal help, consider reaching out to the American Immigration Council or the National Immigration Law Center, both of which offer resources and referrals.
The future of US citizenship and immigration policy is changing quickly. Whether you are a US citizen, an immigrant, or have family members affected by these changes, staying informed and prepared is the best way to protect your rights and plan for the future.
Learn Today
Birthright Citizenship → Automatic citizenship granted to anyone born in the United States under the 14th Amendment since 1868.
Naturalization → The legal process by which a noncitizen becomes a US citizen, involving requirements and tests.
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) → A program protecting young immigrants brought as children from deportation and allowing them to work legally.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A temporary immigration status given to nationals from countries facing conflict or disaster.
Executive Order → A directive issued by the President that manages federal government operations and policies.
This Article in a Nutshell
President Trump’s administration proposes major changes to US citizenship laws, from ending birthright citizenship to cutting immigration benefits, greatly impacting immigrants and their families nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
