How Will U.S. Birthright Citizenship Change Impact Bahamians?

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Earlier this month U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would eliminate it, upending more than a century of precedent.

Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked it after 22 States quickly mounted a legal challenge.

The executive order will end birthright citizenship starting next month, preventing automatic citizenship for babies born to undocumented immigrants and those in the U.S. on temporary status such as tourists, workers or students.

So how does this affect Bahamians?

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell weighs in saying there will be major changes.

“Children born to Bahamian mothers carrying a tourist visa will no longer qualify for United States citizenship unless the father is a United States citizen or permanent resident”, Mitchell said.

Those Bahamian students holding student visas will also likely face challenges obtaining us citizenship.

But what exactly is U.S. birthright citizenship?

“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,” the foreign affairs minister said.

“No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges of 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. ”

Several lawsuits have been filed against the executive order by immigration advocates.