Fact Check: Trump claims birthright citizenship was meant for children of slaves, not migrants.

What We Know

Former President Donald Trump made a statement asserting that birthright citizenship was originally intended for the children of slaves, not for the children of migrants. This claim references the historical context of the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868 and established that anyone born in the United States is a citizen. The amendment was primarily aimed at ensuring citizenship for formerly enslaved individuals after the Civil War (source-1).

Trump's assertion aligns with the historical narrative that the 14th Amendment was designed to secure rights for freed slaves. However, the amendment does not explicitly limit citizenship to the children of slaves; it broadly states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens (source-2).

Legal scholars note that birthright citizenship has been interpreted expansively since its inception, including cases involving children of immigrants, such as the landmark 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed citizenship for the child of Chinese immigrants (source-4).

Analysis

While Trump's statement contains elements of truth regarding the historical context of the 14th Amendment, it is misleading. The amendment was indeed influenced by the need to address the status of former slaves, but it was not exclusively intended for them. The language of the amendment is inclusive, applying to anyone born on U.S. soil, which has been upheld in various court rulings over the years (source-1, source-4).

The claim that birthright citizenship was meant solely for the children of slaves ignores the broader implications and applications of the amendment. Legal experts have criticized Trump's interpretation as "legally fringe," suggesting that it lacks substantial grounding in constitutional law (source-2). Furthermore, Trump's comments have been seen as part of a larger political strategy to reshape immigration policy and public perception of citizenship (source-7).

Conclusion

The claim that birthright citizenship was meant solely for the children of slaves, not migrants, is Partially True. While it is accurate that the 14th Amendment was created in the context of post-Civil War America to secure rights for freed slaves, the amendment's language applies broadly to anyone born in the U.S., including children of migrants. Thus, while Trump's assertion captures a historical truth, it misrepresents the full scope and intent of the 14th Amendment.

Fact Check: Trump claims birthright citizenship was meant for children of slaves, not migrants.