Multi-State Lawsuit Challenges Trump's Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship

A Multi-State Lawsuit Challenges Trump's Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship

A federal judge in Seattle is set to hear arguments in a multi-state lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to non-citizen parents. The lawsuit, filed by Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington, is one of five similar lawsuits filed across the country by 22 states and immigrant rights groups.

The plaintiffs argue that Trump's executive order violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. They point to a century of legal precedent interpreting the amendment in this way, including the landmark 1898 Supreme Court case of Wong Kim Ark, which established birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to Chinese immigrants.

The lawsuit also highlights the personal stories of individuals impacted by the executive order, including attorneys general who are themselves U.S. citizens by birthright and pregnant women who fear their children will not be granted citizenship. One of the lawsuits includes the case of a pregnant woman identified as "Carmen," who has lived in the United States for over 15 years and has a pending visa application. The lawsuit argues that denying her child citizenship would be a "grave injury" and deprive them of their rightful place in American society.

The lawsuit is expected to face significant legal challenges, as the issue of birthright citizenship has been a subject of ongoing debate. However, the plaintiffs are hopeful that the court will ultimately uphold the 14th Amendment and protect the rights of all children born in the United States.