End Birthright Citizenship Now [OPINION]

President Trump is expected to issue an executive order to end birthright citizenship, and that has ignited a firestorm of criticism from opponents--but then again, so does just about everything Trump does.

Trump spoke on the issue with Axios on HBO:

The order would, without doubt, be challenged and may require a change to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, though some scholars believe that Trump is on solid ground. The 14th Amendment reads as follows:

"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."

Former national security adviser Michael Anton told Fox News in July that Trump would be within his rights to ban the practice:

"There’s a clause in the middle of the amendment that people ignore or they misinterpret – subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”

"What they are saying is, if you are born on U.S. soil subject to the jurisdiction of the United States – meaning you’re the child of citizens or the child of legal immigrants, then you are entitled to citizenship. If you are here illegally, if you owe allegiance to a foreign nation, if you’re the citizen of a foreign country, that clause does not apply to you.”

The promise of birthright citizenship has been a magnet for illegal immigrants for years, and has led to tremendous abuse of the immigration system. Almost every other nation, including France and Ireland, have repealed birthright citizenship.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle who have advocated for immigration reform can start by supporting the president on this. They won't. It's Trump's idea, and that's enough reason to oppose it, and that is sad.

The very same politicians who just a few years ago advocated for a border wall or fence and an end to illegal immigration are now openly campaigning for open borders and call the wall inhumane. Go figure.

The first step towards making America great again is to secure its borders and to take control over who comes in based on merit. The first step towards making that happen is to give Trump the support he needs in next Tuesday's midterm elections.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.