Immigration advocates have filed a lawsuit against US President Donald Trump following his executive order to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily residing in the country.
The lawsuit was filed in New Hampshire on Monday evening, hours after Trump signed the order at the White House. The executive order, set to take effect in 30 days, seeks to overturn more than a century of policy and legal precedent interpreting the Constitution.
In a briefing on Monday, Trump defended the controversial move, stating, “The federal government will not recognize automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States. We are also going to enhance vetting and screening of illegal aliens.”
Ending birthright citizenship has been a key component of Trump’s Agenda47 platform, with his campaign arguing for a reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment. The amendment, ratified in 1868, grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”
Trump’s order challenges longstanding Supreme Court rulings affirming birthright citizenship, which excludes only children of foreign diplomats under the “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” clause. Legal experts believe the administration will face significant challenges convincing courts to adopt a narrower interpretation of the amendment.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by immigration advocacy groups, argues that the executive order undermines constitutional protections and will have far-reaching implications for families and communities.
The Justice Department is expected to vigorously defend the policy in court, potentially setting the stage for a landmark legal battle that could reshape the interpretation of the Constitution.
Trump’s executive order has reignited debates over immigration policy, with opponents criticizing the move as divisive and unconstitutional. Proponents, however, argue it aligns citizenship rights with the intent of the nation’s founders.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have profound implications for US immigration law and the future of birthright citizenship in America.
