Trump Moves to End Birthright Citizenship; NY Attorney General James Pledges Legal Fight

President Donald Trump signed a slate of executive orders on his first day in office, keeping campaign promises

President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders Monday, January 20, including one aimed at ending birthright citizenship in the United States, a move that has drawn swift condemnation from legal experts and state officials as unconstitutional. The order seeks to deny automatic citizenship to children born on U.S. soil to noncitizen parents, a right long upheld under the 14th Amendment.

“I have an obligation to protect the integrity of our borders and ensure that our immigration system serves the interests of the American people,” Trump said during a statement at the White House. “This executive order is about closing a longstanding legal loophole and safeguarding American sovereignty.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James quickly rebuked the order, citing the 14th Amendment’s protections.

“For over 156 years, the United States Constitution has clearly stated that anyone born on our nation’s soil is a citizen of the United States,” James said in a statement. “President Trump cannot ignore the 14th Amendment, or any part of our Constitution.

“This executive order is nothing but an attempt to sow division and fear, but we are prepared to fight back with the full force of the law to uphold the integrity of our Constitution. As Attorney General, I will always protect the legal rights of immigrants and their families and communities. We are reviewing our legal options.”

Legal scholars from both sides of the political spectrum have questioned the executive order’s viability. Many point to the clear language of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Experts argue that any change to this provision would require congressional action or a constitutional amendment, not an executive order.

Several civil rights organizations have also vowed to fight the measure in court. “Birthright citizenship is a bedrock principle that has made America what it is today,” said Omar Gonzalez, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union. “This executive order, if left unchecked, threatens to overturn more than a century of established law.”

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the administration expects a lengthy legal battle. “We are confident in our legal authority to interpret the 14th Amendment properly,” the official said, echoing Trump’s earlier statements that the executive branch holds the power to define and enforce immigration law.

As attorneys general across the country prepare lawsuits, it remains unclear when or if the order could take effect. Legal experts predict the matter will likely be tied up in court for months or even years, adding another layer to the contentious debate over immigration policy and the limits of executive power.