Can Trump End Birthright Citizenship?

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship, but that promise could face legal challenges.

Key Details: On Sunday, during an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," Trump said he "absolutely" planned to halt birthright citizenship once in office. He did signal an openness to finding a way for Dreamers, unauthorized immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, to stay in the country. The legislative proposal known as the DREAM Act, which was introduced in 2001, has not become law.

Key Quote: “Do you know if somebody sets a foot — just a foot, one foot, you don’t need two — on our land, ‘Congratulations you are now a citizen of the United States of America,’” Trump told NBC. “Yes, we’re going to end that, because it’s ridiculous.” Eric Ruarck, director of research for NumbersUSA, which seeks to reduce immigration, said, “Simply crossing the border and having a child should not entitle anyone to citizenship.”

For Context: Many legal experts think Trump wouldn't be able to end the right through an executive order since the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to those born in the United States. Proponents say an exception in the amendment can be interpreted to exclude children of unauthorized immigrants.

How the Media Covered it: Sources across the political spectrum, including Corey Lewandowski, senior adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, agree that any efforts to end birthright citizenship would face legal hurdles.