Donald Trump, as the incoming president, plans to announce the cessation of birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants in the United States. This move, as confirmed by those in his soon-to-be White House team, will be enforced through an executive order right on his first day in the office.

The federal government will henceforth not automatically recognize the citizenship of children born on U.S. soil to illegal immigrant parents. This prospective change was something Trump hinted at during his political campaign, but legal experts suggest it will invoke numerous legal challenges.

The current stance stems from the 14th Amendment which safeguards that anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a citizen, thereby protecting their residency rights in the country and respective states. The imminent executive order is aligned with hundreds of other such orders poised to be implemented following Trump’s inauguration.

Trump has consistently voiced the belief that numerous national issues stem from illegal immigration, which he sees as a pressing threat to both national security and public safety. He has advocated for a strict, zero-tolerance stance on illegal migration into the country.