(WNY News Now) – A coalition of 20 attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, reaffirmed support for birthright citizenship during U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments on a presidential executive order.
NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Letitia James joined 19 other attorneys general in a joint statement following oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court on the legality of a presidential executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship.
The coalition appeared in defense of a nationwide injunction blocking the order, which they argue contradicts the long-standing constitutional guarantee under the 14th Amendment.
“For 127 years, the law has been clear: if you are born in this country, you are a citizen of the United States,” the attorneys general stated. “Administrations of both parties have consistently respected that right ever since.”
The Supreme Court heard arguments related to the constitutionality of the executive order, which the attorneys general claim is “patently unconstitutional.” The order seeks to exclude certain individuals from automatic citizenship if they are born on U.S. soil under specific conditions.
The attorneys general expressed concern that the president’s legal position would “upend settled law and produce widespread chaos and disruption.” They emphasized that altering constitutional protections by executive action would set a dangerous precedent.
“The president cannot rewrite the Constitution and contradict the Supreme Court’s own holdings with the stroke of a pen,” the statement continued.
Joining Attorney General James in the joint statement were attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
The case remains under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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