USA Lawsuits against Trump's end to citizenship by birth
US President Donald Trump's plan to abolish the right to citizenship by birth in the USA is meeting with resistance. Civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit against the presidential decree with which Trump wants to abolish the so-called birthright. In addition, the Attorney General of the state of New Jersey, Matt Platkin, announced that 18 US states, the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco are suing Trump and his government over the "unlawful order". "Presidents cannot override the Constitution and centuries of case law with the stroke of a pen," said the Democrat.
21.01.2025, 19:32
21.01.2025, 19:33
SDA
The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution states that people born in the United States are citizens of the country. However, Trump argues that this does not apply if the mother was in the USA illegally or only temporarily. He refers to a subordinate clause in the amendment, namely that it applies to persons who are subject to the jurisdiction of the USA.
The Supreme Court has so far made no distinction as to whether the parents were in the USA legally or illegally. However, Trump's decree could lead to the issue ending up before the country's current Supreme Court. This could actually interpret the constitution differently than before. During Trump's first term in office, the Supreme Court moved significantly to the right due to several appointments.
The civil rights organizations' lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of disregarding the requirements of the Constitution, the intent of Congress and the long-standing case law of the Supreme Court.
"Denying citizenship to children born in the United States is not only unconstitutional, but also a reckless and uncompassionate rejection of American values," criticized Anthony Romero of the civil rights organization ACLU.
When signing the decree, Trump himself admitted that the plan could fail. However, he believes he has a solid legal basis. "We're going to find out."
