US Born Babies Should Be Deported, Republican U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said Sunday that babies born in the United States to undocumented immigrants should be deported with their parents if the adults are removed from the country.
Mullin made the controversial statement during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, in response to questions about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that could soon allow President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship to take effect in some states.
Challenging a Longstanding Principle
Under current U.S. law, the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. This practice, known as birthright citizenship, has been the law of the land since the 19th century.
However, Trump has long criticized this standard, calling it a “magnet” for illegal immigration. His executive order seeks to reinterpret the 14th Amendment to exclude children born to undocumented immigrants from automatic citizenship.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday did not resolve the constitutionality of Trump’s executive order, but it did allow parts of it to move forward on a limited, state-by-state basis — potentially opening the door for new legal battles.
Mullin: “Send the Child With Their Parents”
NBC host Kristen Welker asked Senator Mullin what he thought should happen to babies born in the U.S. if their undocumented parents are deported.
“Well, they should go where their parents are,” Mullin responded. “Why wouldn’t you send a child with their parents? I mean, why would you want to separate them?”
His comments sparked immediate backlash from immigrant rights advocates and legal scholars, who said such a stance ignores constitutional protections and could create further legal chaos.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal experts warn that any attempt to deport U.S. citizens — including infants — violates constitutional protections.
“Under current law, a U.S.-born child is a U.S. citizen. Full stop,” said Jessica Vaughan, a policy expert at the Center for Immigration Studies. “Senator Mullin’s position may be rooted in a desire to keep families together, but you cannot simply deport a citizen because of who their parents are.”
Others worry that allowing birthright citizenship to vary by state could set a dangerous precedent.
“The patchwork enforcement of fundamental constitutional rights is deeply problematic,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, a civil rights attorney. “It undermines the equal protection clause and leads to confusion and potential discrimination.”
A Divisive Issue in 2024 and Beyond
US Born Babies Should Be Deported, The debate over birthright citizenship is expected to be a major flashpoint in the 2024 and 2026 elections. Trump’s renewed focus on immigration — especially in his proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill” — includes provisions aimed at tightening citizenship standards and reducing benefits for undocumented families.
Senator Mullin, a first-term senator and Trump loyalist, is among a growing number of Republicans openly backing restrictions on automatic citizenship.
Advocacy Groups React
Immigrant rights groups condemned Mullin’s comments as inhumane and unconstitutional.
“This is a blatant attack on children who are U.S. citizens by law,” said Maria Elena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center. “We have fought long and hard to protect families from being torn apart. Mullin’s solution is to strip children of their rights and deport them.”
Meanwhile, conservative groups praised the senator’s stance.
“Senator Mullin is simply stating the obvious: children belong with their parents,” said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch. “The real tragedy is allowing the abuse of the 14th Amendment to continue unchecked.”
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