PHOENIX — Arizona has joined a multistate lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. The legal action, filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Tuesday, includes attorneys general from Washington, Illinois, and Oregon.
The complaint contends that Trump’s order, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all individuals born or naturalized in the U.S.
Trump’s Position on Birthright Citizenship
The Trump administration asserts that the constitutional phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” excludes children born to parents who are in the U.S. illegally or on temporary visas. The White House has signaled readiness to defend the order in court, labeling the lawsuits as partisan resistance.
“Radical leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump,” White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said in a statement.
Arizona’s Response
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes strongly opposes the executive order, emphasizing the constitutional rights protected under the 14th Amendment.
“While President Trump may want to take this nation back to a time before all American citizens were treated equally under the law, we will not allow him to do so,” Mayes said. “I am proud to stand with my fellow attorneys general to defend the constitutional rights that countless American patriots have fought for and died to protect.”
Broader Legal Challenges
In addition to the lawsuit filed by Arizona and three other states, a separate legal challenge involving 18 states, the city of San Francisco, and the District of Columbia has also been filed.
The lawsuits argue that the question of birthright citizenship has been long settled by courts and remains a cornerstone of American constitutional law. The outcome of these cases will likely shape the future interpretation of the 14th Amendment.
