U.S. State Attorneys General Challenge Trump’s Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship

In a significant legal pushback, attorneys general from 22 U.S. states have filed lawsuits to block President Donald Trump’s recent executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship, commonly known as “jus soli” or the right of the soil. The legal actions, reported by the Associated Press, highlight a battle over constitutional guarantees enshrined in the 14th Amendment.

What Is Birthright Citizenship?

Under the principle of jus soli, any person born on U.S. soil automatically acquires American citizenship. This right is explicitly protected by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868, which states:

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

Legal Opposition from the States

Critics of the executive order argue that President Trump’s attempt to redefine or limit this constitutional right through an executive order exceeds presidential authority. “The President cannot erase the 14th Amendment with the stroke of a pen,” asserted Matt Platkin, Attorney General of New Jersey, one of the states leading the lawsuit.

William Tong, Connecticut’s Attorney General, who is himself a birthright citizen, emphasized the deeply personal stakes of this legal battle. Tong stated: “If you were born on American soil, you are American. Period. There is no legal debate about this. While Trump’s actions are legally flawed, they have the potential to cause significant harm to American families right now.”

Broader Implications

If implemented, the executive order could create uncertainty for millions of families and individuals whose citizenship is tied to their birthplace. Legal experts predict a prolonged legal battle that could escalate to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the lawsuits filed by state attorneys general are expected to focus on the executive branch’s limited power to alter constitutional rights without legislative or judicial approval.

The challenge underscores the ongoing debates about immigration, citizenship, and constitutional interpretation in the United States. For now, the fate of birthright citizenship—and the millions it affects—hangs in the balance.