AG James Slams Birthright Citizenship Threat in Supreme Court Battle

New York – In a bold stance against the White House, New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined forces with 23 other attorneys general and San Francisco’s city leaders to challenge an executive order aimed at dismantling birthright citizenship. The amicus brief filed today argues that such a move would be unconstitutional and fraught with chaos for states and families.

Attorney General James declared, “For over 150 years, the Constitution has guaranteed citizenship to anyone born in the U.S., regardless of their parents’ status. The president’s attempt to change this is absurd and must be stopped.”

The coalition asserts that the Fourteenth Amendment clearly states that all persons born in the United States, subject to its jurisdiction, are citizens. They argue that executive action cannot override this constitutional guarantee. The brief also points out that the executive order violates both the Constitution and the Immigration and Nationality Act.

James and her allies warn of dire consequences if the executive order is upheld, including stripping citizenship from hundreds of thousands of newborns annually. This could leave families in legal limbo, exposing children to statelessness and immigration enforcement. The coalition also stresses the economic impact on states, which would lose millions in federal funding for programs like Medicaid and CHIP.

“Birthright citizenship is a constitutional right that has stood since the founding of our nation,” James emphasized. “We will not let one person’s attempt to rewrite history undermine the rights of American children.” The coalition is urging the Supreme Court to uphold the rule of law and reject the executive order, setting the stage for a landmark legal battle.

On January 21, 2025, Attorney General James and 18 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the president’s executive order. This latest action marks an escalation in the fight to protect one of the cornerstone principles of American citizenship.