IV. POLITICAL ATTACKS ON CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH IN THE UNITED STATES Background: Jus Soli Citizenship in the United States Citizenship by birth on the territory of the United States (or jus soli) is in many ways the foundation and starting point for thinking about what it means to be American. This chapter is nevertheless reserved for last because the stability of that foundation can only be fully assessed by considering the forces that work to erode it. The nativist platform returning to the White House under President Trump has, predictably, embraced a denaturalization program based on national origin, and immigration policies based on national origin. Perhaps more disturbing is that the administration and its surrogates are simultaneously seeking to redefine jus soli citizenship to align with this vision. Therefore, this report seeks not simply to raise more alarm, but to point out that addressing the technical and constitutional concerns raised in the previous two chapters is a foundational endeavor. It is essential to protecting the traditional conception of American citizenship. Step by step, passport revocations and denaturalizations of ordinary Americans encourage gradual acceptance of the idea that such extreme measures are needed to safeguard the national interest. IV. Political attacks on citizenship by birth in the united states 153