The debate over birthright citizenship in the United States has intensified, with stark divisions emerging along political and regional lines. Meanwhile, the UK's points-based immigration system is being held up as a model by some US policymakers, though British workers warn it has not solved the country's own labour shortages.
In the US, the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born on American soil. But President Donald Trump has vowed to end the practice, calling it a 'magnet for illegal immigration.' Polls show a country split: 48% support keeping birthright citizenship, while 45% want it abolished. The divide is sharpest among party lines, with 80% of Republicans opposing it and 75% of Democrats in favour.
The UK abolished birthright citizenship in 1981, replacing it with a system based on descent and residency. Today, its immigration regime is often praised by American conservatives for being more controlled. But critics point out that the UK's system has also created a two-tier workforce: high-skilled migrants are welcomed, while low-wage sectors like care and hospitality remain chronically understaffed.
For working-class communities in both countries, the issue is personal. In America's industrial heartland, many feel birthright citizenship encourages employers to hire undocumented workers for lower pay, undercutting local wages. 'It's not about race,' said Mike, a steelworker from Ohio. 'It's about whether our kids can get a job that pays enough to raise a family.'
Across the Atlantic, British workers express similar frustrations. 'They keep saying we need migrants for the economy, but our wages haven't risen in a decade,' said Julie, a care worker from Manchester. 'The points system just brings in people who are willing to work for less.'
Economists warn that the debate often misses the bigger picture. 'Birthright citizenship is a distraction from the real issue: stagnant wages and a lack of investment in training,' said Dr. Rachel Milburn of the London School of Economics. 'Both the US and UK have failed to address the underlying reasons why people feel immigration threatens their livelihoods.'
As the US heads toward a potential Supreme Court battle over the issue, the UK's experience offers a cautionary tale. Abolishing birthright citizenship did not end immigration debates in Britain, nor did it lift wages. Instead, it shifted the argument to who gets to come in and on what terms. For working families on both sides of the Atlantic, the verdict is still out on whether any system truly works for them.
