The American Civil Liberties Union has initiated legal action against President Donald Trump’s executive order that eliminates birthright citizenship of children born to undocumented immigrants.
The lawsuit was initiated for multiple organizations “with members whose infants delivered on U.S. territory will be refused citizenship under the directive.”
“Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional – it’s also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values,” said Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU. “Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is.”
“The Trump administration’s excess is so blatant that we are certain we will ultimately succeed,” he stated.
The plaintiffs argue that the 14th Amendment safeguards birthright citizenship.
“For families throughout America today, birthright citizenship symbolizes the hope that their children can realize their complete potential as Americans.” It signifies that kids born here can aspire to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, or even president—aspirations that would be denied if their citizenship were removed due to their parents’ status,” the groups represented by the ACLU stated in the filing.
