Senator Bernie Moreno, a key ally of Donald Trump, announced Tuesday his intent to introduce legislation designed to limit birthright citizenship. This move, if successful, would expand the pool of exploitable labor within the nation's borders. The proposed bill aims to pressure Democrats into supporting a measure that fundamentally alters the legal status of those born in the U.S., creating a more vulnerable class of workers.
Moreno cited a similar 1993 bill from the late former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as precedent for his legislative push. The current effort comes just one day after the Supreme Court struck down a previous order by Donald Trump attempting to end birthright citizenship. Trump and his allies have since intensified their calls for lawmakers to take up new legislation, seeking to use the state's power to redefine citizenship.
The State's Role in Labor Control
Donald Trump publicly urged Congress to act immediately on the matter. He posted, “Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, Birthright Citizenship.” This framing, labeling citizenship as "expensive and unfair," aligns directly with capital's constant drive to reduce labor costs and increase surplus extraction. Speaker Mike Johnson, while acknowledging the push, stated, “Well, we’re looking at that,” and added, “I think the court made the wrong decision.” Johnson's comments underscore the ruling class's desire to reshape legal frameworks to serve economic interests.
Johnson also warned that reversing birthright citizenship “may require a constitutional amendment,” a process he described as a “large undertaking.” Such an amendment represents a significant effort, demanding the support of two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and the ratification of three-fourths of states. The state apparatus, through its legislative and judicial branches, thus becomes the primary battleground for defining who belongs and who remains vulnerable within the national economy. This process directly impacts the availability of a workforce that can be subjected to lower wages and fewer protections, serving the interests of accumulated wealth.
Capital's Demand for Vulnerable Labor
The legislative push isn't an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader, ongoing campaign. Several other similar measures have already been introduced in the House and Senate during this Congress, indicating a sustained effort. These repeated attempts highlight a consistent demand from segments of the ruling class for policies that create a more precarious and easily controlled labor force. By limiting birthright citizenship, the state would effectively create a larger underclass, less able to organize, demand fair wages, or assert their rights without fear of deportation or legal precarity. This structural vulnerability serves to depress wages across the board and bolster corporate profits, ensuring a steady supply of cheap labor. The legal framework of citizenship, therefore, becomes a tool for capital accumulation, managed and enforced by the state to maintain existing power structures.