President-elect Donald Trump has reaffirmed his controversial stance to end birthright citizenship, which grants U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the country, regardless of their parents’ legal status. The plan, part of a broader immigration overhaul, has sparked widespread debate as it would strip citizenship rights from children born to undocumented immigrants despite constitutional protections.
“I think you have to do it,” Trump stated during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press. “It’s a very tough thing to do… but they came in illegally. The people who have been treated very unfairly are the ones who’ve waited 10 years in line to come into this country legally.”
Mass Deportation Plans
The president-elect also reiterated his pledge to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, starting with those who have committed crimes. However, he did not specify the types of crimes that would make individuals a priority for deportation.
From there, he plans to target “people outside of criminals,” signaling a wider crackdown. Despite his firm stance, Trump hinted at a possible compromise for individuals who were brought into the U.S. as children and have been protected from deportation in recent years. “I want to work something out,” he said, suggesting he may collaborate with Congress to address their legal status.
Call for Peace in Ukraine
On the international front, Trump has made a bold appeal for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to “act now” to end the war. In a social media post on Sunday, he claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his administration “would like to make a deal and stop the madness.”
“I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The world is waiting!” Trump declared, emphasizing his close ties to Putin and calling for a global effort to bring about peace.
Asked on NBC about potential reductions in U.S. aid to Ukraine, Trump responded, “Possibly.” He also warned that the U.S. might reconsider its role in NATO if member states fail to increase their financial contributions. “If they’re paying their bills, and if I think they’re treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely I’d stay with NATO,” he said. When pressed if he might pull the U.S. out of the alliance otherwise, he replied, “Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.”
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Diplomatic Push Contrasts Biden’s Approach
Trump’s call for a truce marks a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s strategy of avoiding overt pressure on Kyiv for immediate peace negotiations. The president-elect’s proactive stance includes recent discussions with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, highlighting his efforts to resolve the conflict ahead of his January 20 inauguration.
Observers note Trump’s move as his clearest effort yet to tackle one of the world’s most pressing crises. However, when asked if he had spoken to Putin since his election victory in November, Trump declined to confirm, stating, “I don’t want to do anything that could impede the negotiation.”
Divisive Policy Agenda
Trump’s dual focus on controversial domestic policies, such as ending birthright citizenship, and high-stakes international diplomacy has drawn both praise and criticism. His immigration plan has been labeled unconstitutional by critics, while his supporters view it as a necessary step to address illegal immigration.
Meanwhile, his call for peace in Ukraine, including the involvement of China, showcases his intention to redefine U.S. foreign policy. With just over a month before taking office, Trump’s remarks continue to shape the conversation around his presidency’s priorities.