CARIBBEAN, United States (CMC) — A legal showdown has ignited as advocates for Caribbean immigrants’ rights take a stand against a controversial executive order issued by the Trump administration. The order threatens to deny citizenship to babies born in the United States, a move that has sparked outrage among civil rights organizations.
The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU chapters from New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, as well as the Asian Law Caucus and other prominent organizations representing immigrant communities. The case was brought on behalf of families who could see their U.S.-born children stripped of their citizenship under the new directive.
Anthony Romero, executive director of the ACLU, expressed deep concern about the implications of the executive order. “Stripping citizenship from U.S.-born children is an unconstitutional act that undermines the core values America was built on. Birthright citizenship is a fundamental part of what makes America exceptional,” he declared.
Romero highlighted the significant legal history behind birthright citizenship, referencing the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil, with a few narrow exceptions. This amendment, ratified in 1868, aimed to rectify the injustices of slavery and secure equal rights for all Americans, regardless of race or ancestry. It was further reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in the landmark 1898 case, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which confirmed that children born to immigrant parents were entitled to full citizenship.
The ACLU’s Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project, emphasized the importance of defending these protections. “This order is not only illegal but also a cruel attempt to divide American families and create an underclass of people who are denied their rightful place in society,” he said. “We will fight this with everything we have.”
Opponents of the order, including advocates from various immigrant communities, argue that it undermines the basic principles of equality and fairness. Theo Oshiro, co-executive director of Make the Road New York, stated, “Birthright citizenship is a cornerstone of our democracy. It’s about equality and justice for all, regardless of who your parents are or where they come from.”
The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the executive order, which, if enforced, could leave thousands of children born in the U.S. vulnerable to deportation or denial of citizenship, effectively rendering them stateless. This potential outcome would have severe consequences, particularly for children whose parents are immigrants with temporary legal status or those who are undocumented.
In a related move, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that she, along with a coalition of 18 other states and the City of San Francisco, is also pursuing legal action against the executive order. James called the directive “a blatant violation of the Constitution” and stressed that the fundamental right to birthright citizenship is essential to the nation’s commitment to justice and equality.
“The promise of America is that anyone born here can achieve the American dream. President Trump’s order undermines that promise and endangers future generations,” said James, adding that the lawsuit aims to protect the integrity of the U.S. Constitution and its guarantees for all children born in the country.
The battle over birthright citizenship is set to continue in the courts, with many vowing to fight for the rights of immigrant families and their children, ensuring that U.S. soil remains a place where all babies are guaranteed the protections of citizenship.
