Donald Trump revives idea of ending birthright citizenship

US president claims right for babies born to non-citizens on America soil is "frankly ridiculous"

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the AMVETS (American Veterans) National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. U.S., August 21, 2019.   REUTERS/Bryan Woolston
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US President Donald Trump says he is looking very seriously at ending the right to citizenship for babies born to non-US citizens on American soil.

Mr Trump, speaking on Wednesday as he departed the White House for a speech in Louisville, said birthright citizenship was "frankly ridiculous".

Mr Trump first claimed he would scrap the right in October.

But that would spark a legal battle over whether he could alter the established understanding that the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to any child born on US soil, regardless of their parents' status.