Donald Trump’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan, reaffirmed the president-elect’s controversial promise to end birthright citizenship on Wednesday night, suggesting it may not even be constitutionally protected. The remarks drew immediate pushback during a heated exchange on CNN.
Homan, the former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) chief who Trump has tapped as his next border policy adviser, questioned the interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause.
“I think that’s up to the courts, I think it needs to be held by the Supreme Court,” Homan told anchor Kaitlan Collins when she pointed out that Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship “is no easy feat, given that it is enshrined in the Constitution.”
“I kind of disagree with you, I don’t think it’s enshrined in the Constitution at all – not the way I read it,” Homan replied. “But then again, I’m not a constitutional scholar. We’ll let the courts decide that on the birthright citizenship.”
Collins swiftly pushed back, reiterating that the 14th Amendment explicitly guarantees citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.” Homan defended his stance, claiming that birthright citizenship serves as “a major magnet for illegal immigration” and arguing that the U.S. must “stop rewarding illegal behavior.”
The Constitution states: “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.” Despite the clarity of the Citizenship Clause, Trump and his allies, including Homan, have repeatedly vowed to challenge its interpretation.
Homan’s comments came as he outlined the aggressive immigration enforcement measures planned for Trump’s first day back in office. He described a “well-targeted enforcement operation,” emphasizing that the administration aims to secure approximately 100,000 detention facility beds.
“Anybody in the country illegally needs to leave voluntarily or face stiffer immigration holds,” Homan warned, signaling a hardline stance on undocumented immigrants. He also issued a blunt warning to sanctuary cities, which have historically refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
“Sanctuary cities are going to get exactly what they don’t want,” he declared, underscoring the administration’s intent to crack down on jurisdictions that limit immigration enforcement.
Homan’s statements, along with Trump’s renewed promise, suggest a looming legal and political battle over the 14th Amendment’s longstanding interpretation and a dramatic shift in border enforcement policy under the next administration.