A group of 23 states has filed federal lawsuits challenging President Trump's executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants in the United States.
The order, signed on Monday, would deny automatic citizenship to babies born on U.S. soil to mothers who are in the country illegally or those whose parents are not permanent residents. The directive is set to take effect in 30 days.
Led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the coalition argues that the order violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which states that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens."
"The President's executive order attempting to rescind birthright citizenship is blatantly unconstitutional and un-American," said Bonta, noting that the order could affect over 20,000 newborns annually in California alone.
The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in Massachusetts and Washington state, seek immediate injunctions to block the order's implementation. The states argue that the president lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally alter birthright citizenship, which has been recognized for over a century.
New York Attorney General Letitia James emphasized that birthright citizenship represents "the great promise of our nation" and called it a cornerstone of American justice, particularly given its roots in post-Civil War reforms.
The legal challenges have garnered support from both coastal and inland states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The cities of San Francisco and Washington D.C. have also joined the effort.
The American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups have filed separate lawsuits challenging the order. A federal judge in Seattle has scheduled a hearing for Thursday regarding a temporary restraining order request.
The outcome of these legal challenges could significantly impact immigration policy and constitutional interpretation in the United States, with potential consequences for thousands of families across the country.