The cornerstone of American democracy rests on its Constitution, a living document that guarantees rights and protections to its people. At the heart of these guarantees lies the 14th Amendment, which explicitly states: “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.” This amendment, born out of the Reconstruction Era, was designed to cement the citizenship of formerly enslaved people and establish the promise of equality under the law. Yet, Donald Trump’s proposed executive order to end birthright citizenship challenges this foundation, raising critical questions about constitutional fidelity and the future of civil rights in America.

Trump’s announcement, part of his border security plan, seeks to deny U.S. citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants. On its face, this proposal is a direct contradiction to the clear language of the 14th Amendment. As recently as 1898, the Supreme Court affirmed in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that birthright citizenship applies to nearly everyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parent’s immigration status. This precedent underscores that not even the president has the authority to unilaterally override the Constitution.

But with Trump’s history of defying legal norms and pushing boundaries, it is hard not to wonder: What can he not get away with? This is a man who has faced numerous indictments, controversies and accusations and yet, he has managed to maintain a formidable political presence. If he succeeds in undoing birthright citizenship, it would set a dangerous precedent, calling into question the integrity of constitutional protections.

The 14th Amendment is more than just a declaration of citizenship. It embodies the promise of equal protection under the law for all people within U.S. jurisdiction. Stripping away birthright citizenship would be an assault on this promise, disproportionately targeting immigrant communities. But this attack does not stop at immigrants. The implications ripple far beyond.

The 14th Amendment also cemented the citizenship of Black Americans, a hard-fought victory after centuries of enslavement. Dismantling birthright citizenship would unravel not just Reconstruction but the Civil Rights Movement and its legacy. If the government can undermine one part of the Constitution, what is to stop them from eroding others? What does this mean for Black Americans and their guaranteed rights?

This attack on birthright citizenship is particularly hypocritical considering Trump’s own ancestry. His grandparents were not U.S. citizens, and his father benefited from the very policy he now seeks to dismantle. It is a painful irony that a nation built by immigrants and enslaved people is contemplating policies that are so deeply anti-immigrant.

At its core, Trump’s proposal is not just about immigration, it is about power and exclusion. By targeting the most vulnerable communities, this move reinforces a system that prioritizes privilege while marginalizing those who have long been the backbone of America’s success. It is a deliberate attempt to stoke division, undermining the principles of equality and justice that the Constitution was designed to uphold.

The question remains, if this attack on the 14th Amendment succeeds, what is next? Will other amendments face similar challenges? Will the rights of other marginalized groups be put on the chopping block? The erosion of one constitutional guarantee threatens them all.

This is not just a fight for immigrant communities, it is a fight for the soul of America. The 14th Amendment symbolizes a commitment to fairness, inclusion and the idea that all people are created equal. Undermining it would take us back to a time when these values were promises only on paper.

Trump’s proposal is a reminder of the fragility of progress. It is a call to action for all of us to defend the Constitution and the rights it enshrines. If we allow this rollback to happen, we are not just erasing protections for immigrants, we are undoing the very fabric of what makes this nation a democracy.