Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, 2025. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
Newly inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump on Monday announced a sweeping policy shift poised to have ripple effects nationwide.
One of his first actions as president was the signing an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship for children born to parents without legal status in the United States. This move seeks to interpret the 14th Amendment, specifically the clause stating citizenship for those "subject to the jurisdiction thereof," to exclude children whose parents are visitors or undocumented immigrants. This will impact the USVI, where the new citizenship criteria will be enforced along with all other U.S. jurisdictions.
Before the executive order, any child born on U.S. soil or in its territories automatically received citizenship, regardless of their parents' legal status. It has been a common practice for non-citizens to travel to the United States to give birth, ensuring their child would acquire American citizenship before returning to their home country. While signing the executive order banning birthright citizenship, President Trump stated that the United States was the only country that allowed this practice.
The new policy outlines specific scenarios under which U.S. citizenship will not be granted to individuals born on U.S. soil:
- Parents’ Immigration Status: Citizenship will not be extended to individuals born in the United States if their mother was unlawfully present in the country at the time of birth, and their father was neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident.
- Temporary Legal Status: Individuals whose mother was in the United States under a lawful but temporary status—such as on a student, work, or tourist visa—will not receive automatic citizenship if their father was not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of their birth.
These restrictions apply only to individuals born in the United States 30 days after the executive order's issuance. The policy does not affect children of lawful permanent residents or others who are already entitled to citizenship.
The executive order mandates that no federal, state, or local agency issue or accept documents recognizing U.S. citizenship for individuals falling under the restricted categories. Federal agencies, including the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Social Security Administration, have been directed to align their policies and procedures with the new regulations.
The order requires all federal departments and agencies to issue public guidance within 30 days on how they will implement the new rules. The heads of these agencies are also tasked with ensuring that no personnel act in ways inconsistent with the executive order.
The policy explicitly states that it does not alter the citizenship rights of children born to lawful permanent residents or others who are eligible for U.S. citizenship under existing laws.
The executive action signals a major shift in U.S. immigration policy, as it redefines who qualifies for birthright citizenship. Federal departments and agencies are expected to provide further clarification and guidance on its implementation in the coming weeks.
In addition to the birthright citizenship order, President Trump enacted several other executive actions:
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Deployment of Troops to the U.S.-Mexico Border: Aimed at strengthening border security, this order directs the deployment of U.S. military personnel to assist in controlling and preventing illegal immigration.
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National Emergency Declaration at the Border: This declaration identifies illegal immigration as a national emergency, enabling the administration to allocate additional resources and authority to address border security concerns.
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Resumption of Border Wall Construction: The order mandates the completion of the border wall along the U.S.-Mexico boundary, reviving a project initiated during President Trump's first term.
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Suspension of Asylum Programs: This action halts certain asylum programs, including the "Remain in Mexico" policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico during the processing of their U.S. asylum claims.
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Designation of Criminal Cartels as Terrorist Organizations: Specific international criminal groups, such as Mexican drug cartels and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, are now classified as terrorist organizations, allowing for enhanced measures against their activities.
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Reversal of Transgender Protections: An executive order rescinds federal recognition of gender identities beyond male and female, impacting policies related to transgender individuals, including access to transition services and the use of gender-specific facilities.
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Termination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs: This order discontinues DEI initiatives within federal agencies, promoting a return to merit-based systems and eliminating programs aimed at addressing systemic inequalities.
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Mass Pardon of January 6 Defendants: President Trump issued pardons for individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol events, absolving approximately 1,500 people of related offenses.
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Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement: The United States has formally exited the international accord aimed at combating climate change, marking the second withdrawal under President Trump's leadership.
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Executive Order on Free Speech: This directive aims to restore freedom of speech and end censorship, though it has faced criticism due to President Trump's previous actions involving journalists.
These executive actions reflect President Trump's commitment to his campaign promises, focusing on immigration reform, national security, and the restructuring of federal policies. However, several of these measures are anticipated to face legal challenges and provoke debate among policymakers and the public. The ACLU, for example, has already filed suit against the birthright citizenship ban executive order.
Other Trump day-one actions:
- An action was taken to end the use of the CBP One app for migrant entry scheduling.
- He signed orders to end "Remain in Mexico" and "catch and release" policies, continuing the border wall construction.
- Trump rescinded 78 executive orders from the Biden administration.
- He withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord again.
- An order was signed to require federal workers to return to in-person work.
- Trump directed the Attorney General to seek the death penalty for certain federal crimes, affecting death row inmates commuted by Biden.
- He suspended refugee resettlement for four months.
- Trump ordered the recognition of only male and female genders on government documents.
- Trump instructed the Attorney General to delay enforcement of the TikTok law for 75 days.
- He withdrew from the World Health Organization.
- Orders were signed to study routing water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to southern California.
- Trump directed federal agencies to reduce the cost of living by various means, including housing and energy policies.
- He aimed to review federal regulations impacting energy sectors, revoking Biden's climate-related executive orders.
- Trump paused federal funds for electric vehicle infrastructure.
- He suspended offshore wind energy projects.
- Trump paused foreign aid disbursements for 90 days for assessment.
- He directed trade investigations to begin.
- An order was signed to implement performance standards for senior executive federal employees.
- Trump declared a national energy emergency to expedite energy infrastructure delivery.
During his inauguration speech, the president declared that the golden age of America begins now. He eviscerated the Biden administration in the presence of the former president and vice president, stating that actions of his predecessors have severely set the country back. "For many years, the radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens. While the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair, we now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad," he said.
Mr. Trump added, "It fails to protect our magnificent, law-abiding American citizens but provides sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world. We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders but refuses to defend American borders, or more importantly, its own people."
The president expressed gratitude to the African American and Hispanic communities, thanking them for their record support during the election and pledging to honor their trust by working toward unity and justice. Referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day, Mr. Trump vowed to strive for the realization of King’s dream, framing it as an important goal of his administration.
Trump made headlines with his bold pledge to reclaim control of the Panama Canal. He reminded the audience of the United States’ historical ownership of the canal, built through significant sacrifice, stating that the U.S. had “spent more money than ever before on a project” and lost 38,000 lives in its construction.
Trump criticized the decision to transfer control of the canal to Panama, describing it as a "foolish gift that should have never been made." He expressed outrage at the current situation, claiming that China now exercises control over the canal, something he deemed “unacceptable.” He argued that American ships, including those of the U.S. Navy, face unfair treatment and overcharges, a violation of the spirit and promises of the original treaty.
Declaring a national energy emergency, Trump outlined his plan to revitalize U.S. energy production. He announced the end of the Green New Deal and electric vehicle mandates, stressing the importance of oil and gas as the backbone of American manufacturing. “We will drill, baby, drill,” Mr. Trump declared, pledging to lower energy costs, replenish strategic reserves, and export American energy globally.
Trump declared that his administration would recognize only two sexes: male and female. He also vowed to abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies, stating that the U.S. would adopt a colorblind, merit-based system. Military policies related to social experiments and political theories would also be eliminated, with a renewed focus on combat readiness and defeating America’s enemies.
Trump proclaimed January 20, 2025, as “Liberation Day” for the American people, marking the start of what he called a “golden age.” He emphasized rebuilding national pride, restoring justice, and fostering unity across all demographics. Internationally, Trump positioned the United States as a peacemaker, promising to end unnecessary wars and assert American power to deter global conflicts.
In closing, Trump issued a rallying cry to the American people, urging them to embrace courage, ambition, and unity. “From this day on, the United States of America will be a free, sovereign, and independent nation,” he stated, declaring the start of a new chapter in the country’s history.
