22 States Sue to Stop Trump’s Plan to End Birthright Citizenship

Attorneys general from 22 states are suing President Donald Trump over his new order that tries to stop granting U.S. citizenship to all children born in the U.S., regardless of their parents’ status. This rule, known as birthright citizenship, is protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

President Trump’s executive order claims that the U.S. should not automatically give citizenship to the children of noncitizens or illegal immigrants. This challenges the usual understanding of the 14th Amendment and has sparked a lot of debate and legal challenges.

Legal experts and Democratic officials argue that the Constitution clearly supports birthright citizenship and that the president cannot change this by himself. Matt Platkin, the Attorney General of New Jersey, stated that the Constitution’s text is clear and that the president is overreaching his powers with this order.

The White House defends the order, saying it is a necessary step for controlling illegal immigration and protecting the country. They are prepared to defend it in court.

What has the Reaction to Trump’s Order Been?

The lawsuit against this order claims it is against the Constitution and could negatively impact millions of people. Opponents of the order are concerned about increased discrimination and how it could affect people who are already recognized as citizens.

Birthright citizenship has been a key part of American law since 1868 when the 14th Amendment was passed. This was especially important to guarantee the rights of newly freed slaves after the Civil War.

The U.S. Supreme Court has supported birthright citizenship in the past, notably in the 1898 case of United States v. Wong Kim Ark. However, some argue that the 14th Amendment wasn’t meant to cover the children of noncitizens who are in the U.S. illegally.

The states suing Trump include places with large immigrant populations who could be directly hurt by this change. They argue that stopping birthright citizenship would harm many families and affect many people who feel American in every way but don’t have legal status.

This legal fight over Trump’s order is expected to be long and difficult, with important effects on U.S. immigration policy and how citizenship is understood.