The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection and citizenship under the Constitution to all people born in the United States. However, these rights are now under threat from President Donald J. Trump, whose proposed policies could undermine birthright citizenship and negatively impact millions of Americans.
With an executive order that was enacted on Jan. 20, the precedent for such action exists. In 2020, the Trump administration attempted to bar international students from remaining in the U.S. if their courses were fully online during the COVID-19 pandemic — a move that was widely criticized and met with legal challenges. Several universities and advocacy groups filed lawsuits against the administration, highlighting that the policy would harm both international and U.S. institutions. The policy was ultimately rescinded by the Trump administration and led to further legislative discussion regarding the rights of international students. Moreover, a new executive order revoking all visas based on a person’s perceived political beliefs (especially those who are pro-Palestine) would have far-reaching consequences for international students, campus activism and academic freedom if enacted. The executive order has been blocked by a federal judge for now.
“I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before,” Trump said in the White House Fact Sheet.
His statement underscores a growing trend of right-wing legislators targeting immigration and student visa policies that could reshape higher education and civil liberties. Such policies would also disproportionately impact students from marginalized backgrounds, undermining universities’ efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). If certain groups are silenced or excluded from pursuing higher education due to political crackdowns, campuses will lose the rich exchanges between diverse perspectives that fuel intellectual growth. The executive order would also contradict the very principles of fairness, equal opportunity and academic freedom that universities should strive to uphold.
The broad classification of “Hamas sympathizers” is particularly alarming, as it raises concern about who would be classified as such and whether the term could be arbitrarily used to target students for their political views or for participating in peaceful protests. For a diverse and politically engaged campus like Stony Brook University, the effects would be profound. International students — particularly those from Muslim-majority countries — could face surveillance efforts, intimidation or even deportation simply for participating in constitutionally protected discussions or protests.
Students who obtained citizenship through the 14th Amendment may find themselves in a vulnerable position. This would mean that individuals born in the U.S., including those whose parents are undocumented or immigrants, could potentially lose their automatic right to citizenship. If policies or legal challenges result in the rollback of birthright citizenship, it could jeopardize the statuses of many students who have relied on this constitutional guarantee, creating uncertainty about their legal standing and access to rights such as education, healthcare and employment. Eliminating birthright citizenship could also strip them of financial aid support and scholarships.
Many Stony Brook students expressed that they feel unsupported by the University due to their immigration status. In a recent survey conducted by the Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) Department, 62.1% of respondents stated that Stony Brook does not provide adequate support for undocumented or first-generation immigrant students. Only 37% of students felt they had equal access to academic and social services. These findings highlight how existing struggles could worsen financial aid access and make legal protections even more uncertain if the executive order is enacted.
Given these realities, Stony Brook must acknowledge the lived experiences of these students and take action to support them. One proposed solution is the creation of an Undocumented Immigrant Student Success Center. This idea has already been discussed between members of the LACS Department, where faculty and students have emphasized the urgent need for stronger institutional support for undocumented and international students.
In this space, undocumented, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, asylum-seeking and first-generation immigrant students can receive personalized guidance. The center would offer one-on-one consultation with advisors to provide resources, financial aid support and legal assistance, addressing many of the concerns that survey respondents raised.
Stony Brook would not be the first institution to implement such a program. California State University, Monterey Bay has already established a similar initiative, proving that such a model is not only possible but effective. By creating a dedicated resource center, Stony Brook can reduce the burdens undocumented students face and uphold its values of inclusivity, diversity and student support.
One of the most significant legal rulings that verified birthright citizenship was the result of the United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) case, where the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the 14th Amendment ensures citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The case illustrates that birthright citizenship is a constitutionally guaranteed right, immune to political shifts or executive interventions.
Trump’s past executive orders demonstrate his stance on immigration. In 2017, he implemented the “Muslim Ban,” which restricted individuals from several majority-Muslim countries from seeking refuge in the U.S. or even entering the country with valid passports. He then announced the termination of the DACA program, which protected undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. However, this decision faced legal challenges and in June 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the administration’s attempt to end DACA was unlawful, effectively keeping the program in place.
Restricting undocumented immigrants’ access to civil liberties will create significant barriers for society at large. With a large portion of the American population consisting of immigrants, many aspects of our economy rely heavily on their contributions. Immigrants fill critical roles as healthcare workers, taxpayers, business owners and essential workers in low-income sectors. Limiting their opportunities disrupts their daily lives and weakens both industries and communities that depend on their hard work and innovation. Such restrictions risk creating labor shortages, reducing economic growth and undermining the values of diversity and inclusion that are fundamental to our nation’s identity.
Immigrants contribute nearly $2 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product annually. Moreover, efforts to restrict the rights of immigrants have sparked a wave of legal challenges. Currently, Maryland and 22 other states are involved in lawsuits aimed at blocking such policies, demonstrating the widespread opposition to laws that could further destabilize immigrants’ lives. These lawsuits highlight the ongoing efforts being made to protect the rights of undocumented individuals and ensure that their contributions are not disregarded.
Birthright citizenship is not just a policy — it is a constitutional right that defines what it means to be an American. Any attempt to weaken it threatens the stability of millions of lives, the integrity of our legal system and the defining principles of equality and opportunity that strengthen the fabric of our nation. History has shown that attacks on immigrants’ rights have far-reaching consequences, affecting education, the economy and social cohesion. Now more than ever, students, educators and policymakers must stand together to defend these protections.
