18 States File Lawsuit Over Trump's Order to End Birthright Citizenship

What Happened?

Over a dozen Democratic state attorneys general filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday to stop President Donald Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, came one day after President Trump swiftly announced a sweeping number of executive orders during his inauguration address on Monday on Capitol Hill.

During his address, Trump discussed his administration's focus on immigration and the concerns along the U.S. southern border.

Trump signed an executive order on Monday that declared a national emergency, which will allow for the deployment of armed forces if needed.

Why it Matters

The order also included the end of 'catch and release,' where asylum seekers will now have to wait behind 'physical barriers' for their claim to be processed in Mexico.

Trump’s administration said the decision points to a rise in deadly narcotics that have flowed across the border, criminal organizations, and other hostile actors who have successfully entered the U.S. illegally.

'We have limited information on the precise whereabouts of a great number of these illegal aliens who have entered the United States over the last four years. This cannot stand,' the White House said in their statement.

Government officials raise the issue behind the order that focuses on children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status.

The lawsuit by 18 Democratic-led states, including the District of Columbia and San Francisco, alleges that Trump's executive order violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that gives right of citizenship to all children born in the United States.

'The great promise of our nation is that everyone born here is a citizen of the United States, able to achieve the American dream,' New York Attorney General Letitia James told CBS News. 'This fundamental right to birthright citizenship, rooted in the 14th Amendment and born from the ashes of slavery, is a cornerstone of our nation's commitment to justice.'

State leaders are seeking a preliminary injunction of the order and to ultimately invalidate it.

The states that have joined the lawsuit so far are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

It’s very likely more state leaders will join the effort to ensure the measure is not carried out.

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego recently spoke out about President Trump’s pledge to end birthright citizenship.

'Ending birthright citizenship is anti-American and unconstitutional. Plain and simple,' Senator Gallego said in a social media post. 'We need to address our broken immigration system and secure the border. But executive actions like this run contrary to the ideals of what makes our country great.'

How it Affects You

Although Trump has pledged to move faster in his agenda plans, many of his executive orders have been met with opposition.

An early tone may be set to see how Trump may handle a lot of efforts over the course of his second term.

As detailed in the order, the next 30 days could still have a huge impact on immigrants and the future of the nation.