Ending Birthright Citizenship Would Mostly Affect Asians

New study finds 6.4 million U.S.-born children could lose legal status by 2050 if birthright citizenship is eliminated.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:19pm

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A new study has found that if President Trump succeeds in eliminating universal birthright citizenship, there could be 6.4 million U.S.-born children without legal status by 2050. The policy change would disproportionately impact Asian Americans, who make up the largest group of immigrants to the U.S. in recent years.

Why it matters

Birthright citizenship, enshrined in the 14th Amendment, has been a cornerstone of American immigration policy for over a century. Eliminating it would have far-reaching consequences, potentially stripping legal status from millions of U.S.-born children and creating a new class of undocumented residents.

The details

The study, conducted by researchers at the Center for American Progress, found that Asian Americans would be the group most affected by the elimination of birthright citizenship. This is due to the high rates of immigration from Asian countries in recent decades. The policy change could also have significant impacts on Latino communities, though to a lesser degree than Asian Americans.

  • The study's projections extend to the year 2050.

The players

President Trump

The former U.S. president who has advocated for eliminating birthright citizenship.

Center for American Progress

A nonpartisan policy institute that conducted the study on the potential impacts of ending birthright citizenship.

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The takeaway

Eliminating birthright citizenship would have significant and disproportionate impacts on Asian American communities, potentially stripping legal status from millions of U.S.-born children. This policy change would fundamentally alter the fabric of American society and citizenship.