In an interview with Axios for HBO, President Donald Trump stated he plans to remove the right of citizenship by birthright in the United States. That right became part of the Constitution through the 14th Amendment.
The 14th Amendment to the ConstitutionΒ was adopted on July 9, 1868, as one of the Reconstruction Amendments after the Civil War. It essentially granted citizenship to all who had been slaves. It stated:
"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."
Trump believes he can issue an executive order to eliminate birthright citizenship. As justification for doing so, Trump stated:
"Now how ridiculous, we're the only country in the world where a person comes in has a baby and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years with all of those benefits."
"It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous. And it has to end."
The President than added:
"It's in the process. It'll happen ... with an executive order."
Watch the interview excerpt here.
But is the President right? Is the United States the only country in the world to offer birthright citizenship?
Fox News decided the fact check Trump's claim. It turned out, the USA is very much not the only country in the world to offer birthright citizenship.
Fox News shared their results on Twitter, stating:
"Countries with Birthright Citizenship:β At least 35 countries offer automatic, unconditional citizenship to children born within their borders.
β Canada and the US are examples of two countries with large, advanced economies that grant automatic birthright citizenship."
Some people were amazed Fox News had a research department to check facts.
While some followers of Fox News discounted the research findings.
But were quickly reminded of the point of a fact check.
Others brought up Trump's other claim about an executive order overriding the Constitution.
Fox News Research offered an answer for that as well.
Whether Trump decides to go ahead with his attempt to override the Constitution with an executive order remains to be seen.