CNN’s chief data analyst, Harry Enten, says President Donald Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship is unpopular with both the public and legal experts. Speaking on Friday, Enten described the proposal as a “political loser” for Trump and the Republican Party.
The issue centers on Trump’s push to stop birthright citizenship for children born to immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally. This policy has long been protected under the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868.
On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments in May on Trump’s executive order to remove birthright citizenship. This order has faced legal challenges and has been blocked by several district courts.
Public Opinion Doesn’t Support the Move
Harry Enten pointed to recent polling data that shows most Americans are against this idea. In a survey conducted by Ipsos, 56% of people said they oppose ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, while 41% support it.
“The numbers just don’t back this plan,” said Enten. He explained that public support for ending birthright citizenship has been dropping steadily since 1992.
Enten added, “The number has been going down, down, down. It surprises many because anti-immigration views often seem loud in public debates. But the truth is, fewer Americans want to get rid of birthright citizenship.”
Polls Show a Long-Term Trend
Looking at data over the years, Enten noted that the percentage of people supporting the end of birthright citizenship is near record lows. This is happening even though public discussions on immigration have become more heated in recent years.
In fact, a February poll showed how this issue might affect voter motivation. According to the data, 51% of Democrats said they felt “very motivated” to vote when thinking about this policy. In contrast, only 31% of Republicans said the same.
“If I were advising the Trump White House, I’d say, stick to other immigration issues,” Enten remarked. “This one, as I said, is a political loser.”
Why It Matters
Birthright citizenship has been a part of U.S. law for over 150 years. The 14th Amendment guarantees that anyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen, no matter their parents’ immigration status. Changing this would not only be difficult legally but also unpopular with the majority of Americans.
Experts agree with Enten’s take. Most legal scholars believe ending birthright citizenship through an executive order would not hold up in court.
