Democratic attorneys general from 19 states, including New Jersey, California, and New York, have filed a lawsuit to block President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts federal court, argues that Trump's order violates the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the United States.
President Trump signed the executive order on Monday (January 20), just hours after taking office for a second term. The order seeks to limit birthright citizenship to children with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. It also targets children born to parents in the U.S. temporarily, such as on student or tourist visas.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong stated, "This is a war on American families waged by a president with zero respect for our Constitution."
The lawsuit describes the order as a "flagrantly unlawful attempt" to strip citizenship from American-born children based on their parentage.
The lawsuit is one of several legal challenges against the order, with civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union also filing suits. The order is set to take effect in 30 days, but the legal challenges could delay its implementation.
The case could become a significant Supreme Court showdown for Trump's second-term agenda, with potential implications for immigration policy and constitutional interpretation.