US States and Civil Rights Organisations Unite to Challenge Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
At the start of his new term in office, US President Donald Trump tested the limits of his power and immediately faced resistance. According to German news agency dpa, several US states and civil rights organisations have expressed their intention to legally challenge the abolition of birthright citizenship in the United States for children of people without residency status.
A Radical Departure from Previous Administration’s Policies
Trump ordered the change via presidential decree on his first day in office, marking a radical departure from the previous administration’s policies. This move has been met with strong opposition from various quarters, with many questioning the legality and constitutionality of the decision.
Constitutional Violation
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, who is leading the efforts of 18 states, the District of Columbia, and the city of San Francisco, has described Trump’s order as unlawful. In a statement, Platkin said that "Presidents can’t overrule the Constitution and centuries of precedent with a stroke of a pen." He further emphasized that "President Trump’s attempt to unilaterally end birthright citizenship is a flagrant violation of our Constitution. For more than 150 years, our country has followed the same basic rule: Babies who are born in this country are American citizens."
The 14th Amendment
The 14th amendment to the US constitution states that anyone born in the US is a citizen of the country. However, Trump argues that this does not apply if the mother was unlawfully or only temporarily in the US. He refers to a clause in the amendment stating that it pertains to people subject to US jurisdiction.
Resistance from States and Organisations
In addition to Platkin’s statement, several other states and civil rights organisations have also expressed their opposition to Trump’s order. For example, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has condemned the move, stating that it "would undermine the fundamental principles of equality and justice."
Conclusion
As the debate surrounding birthright citizenship continues to unfold, it is clear that the issue is far from over. With multiple states and organisations challenging Trump’s order, it remains to be seen how this dispute will be resolved. Will the President’s decree stand, or will it be struck down by the courts? Only time will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is birthright citizenship?
A: Birthright citizenship is the concept that anyone born in the United States is automatically a US citizen, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
Q: What is the 14th amendment to the US constitution?
A: The 14th amendment states that anyone born in the US is a citizen of the country.
Q: What is the controversy surrounding Trump’s order?
A: Trump’s order seeks to abolish birthright citizenship for children of people without residency status, which has been met with strong opposition from several states and civil rights organisations.
Q: What is the legal basis for the controversy?
A: The controversy surrounding Trump’s order is based on the 14th amendment to the US constitution, which states that anyone born in the US is a citizen of the country. Trump argues that this does not apply if the mother was unlawfully or only temporarily in the US.