Big surprise: what Trump wrote about birthright citizenship is wrong.

[Lionel Mandrake]

Last edited Thu Apr 2, 2026, 01:25 PM - Edit history (1)

Here is one of Trump's "Truth Social" posts: “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!”

In fact, the United States (via the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution) is one of several countries that grant birthright citizenship based on place of birth (jus soli), but it is not unique.

The following countries have broad or near-automatic jus soli (These generally grant citizenship to almost anyone born on their territory):
Canada
Mexico
Brazil
Argentina
Most countries in the Americas (Western Hemisphere)

The following countries have conditional birthright citizenship (These allow it only under certain conditions, e.g., parents are legal residents):
United Kingdom
Australia
France

[drray23]

1. that list is slightly incomplete.

There are way more countries that allow citizenship with conditions than the three you listed.

Those in the first category, where the US belongs numbers around 30 or so; As you noted, many in the Americas. The second category is close to 100. If I find a link, I will post it.

Of course, your conclusion is completely correct. Trump lied again, and unfortunately, his MAGA followers will believe it.

[Ms. Toad]

3. Correct.

According to PEW research, Thirty-two other countries around the world, most of them in the Western Hemisphere, have birthright citizenship laws that are substantially similar to the U.S., according to a Pew Research Center analysis. Another 50 or so countries have more limited variations of birthright citizenship.

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/03/31/us-style-birthright-citizenship-is-uncommon-around-the-world/

https://www.pewresearch.org/chart/birthright-citizenship-around-the-world/

[Lionel Mandrake]

6. I wasn't sure whether Trump was lying

or merely ignorant.

[tanyev]

2. And then there's the idea that the constitution can be changed just by signing an executive order.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Kick!

[Whip-poor-will]

5. He's plain stupid

How many times does he have to act stupid before he does something else stupid will it become apparent just how stupid he is.