Donald Trump’s incoming border czar doubled down on the president-elect’s promise to end birthright citizenship when he returns to the White House and said Wednesday night he doesn't believe it is even constitutionally protected.
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Tom Homan, who Trump picked as his next border policy adviser, received immediate pushback during a CNN appearance when he suggested that the 14th Amendment – specifically the Citizenship clause – isn’t actually enshrined in the Constitution.
“I think that's up to the courts, I think it needs to be held by the Supreme Court,” Homan told anchor Kaitlan Collins when she said Trump’s vow to end birthright citizenship “is no easy feat, given that it is enshrined in the Constitution.”
“I kind of disagree with you, I don't think it's enshrined in the Constitution at all – not the way I read it,” Homan replied. “But then again, I’m not a constitutional scholar. We’ll let the courts decide that on the birthright citizenship.”
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Homan added that birthright citizenship is “a major magnet for illegal immigration” and that the United States has to “stop rewarding illegal behavior.”
“Yeah, of course it's the 14th amendment, as you know,” Collins said before moving on to her next question.
The Constitution 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. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Homan’s remarks came after he laid out stark details of the "well-targeted enforcement operation" the country can expect beginning on the first day of the next administration. He said the administration wants to see around 100,000 detention facility beds and urged anybody in the country illegally to “leave voluntarily” or face stiffer immigration holds.
He also warned sanctuary cities to prepare for the enforcement operation.
“Sanctuary cities are going to get exactly what they don't want,” he said.
Watch the clip below or at this link.
