Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, marking the beginning of his second non-consecutive term in office.
In his inaugural address, Trump recounted his near-death experience after being shot in Pennsylvania last July, saying, “I was saved by God to make America great again.”
Trump’s speech was followed by an announcement that he would be issuing a series of executive orders aimed at reshaping the country’s immigration policies. “First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border,” Trump said.
“All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.”
The new president also plans to put an end to birthright citizenship, a centuries-old practice that grants automatic citizenship to anyone born in the United States.
According to White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, the administration will “clarify” the 14th Amendment, which addresses birthright citizenship, and instead recognize automatic birthright citizenship only for children of US citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Additionally, Trump’s administration plans to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their applications are processed.
The president also aims to use the death penalty against non-citizens who commit capital crimes, such as murder.
“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,” Kelly said.
However, analysts warn that Trump’s efforts to alter birthright citizenship will face significant challenges.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council, noted that the 14th Amendment is “crystal clear” in granting citizenship to anyone born in the United States, and that a president cannot unilaterally change this with an executive order.
“We expect rapid court challenges,” Reichlin-Melnick said.
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