Connecticut has joined a multi-state coalition challenging an executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship in the United States. This legal battle centers on the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees U.S. citizenship to anyone born on American soil, regardless of their parents’ citizenship status.
Attorney General William Tong Speaks Out
Attorney General William Tong, representing Connecticut in the lawsuit, highlighted the personal significance of this issue. Tong, born in Hartford to immigrant parents, stated:
“The 14th Amendment says what it means, and it means what it says—if you are born on American soil, you are an American. Period. Full stop.”
Said Attorney General William Tong
This lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, seeks to block the implementation of the executive order, which opponents argue is unconstitutional.
Legal Grounds for the Lawsuit
The coalition contends that the executive order, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” violates the Fourteenth Amendment and Section 1401 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. These laws have historically upheld the principle of jus soli, or citizenship by birthright.
The lawsuit also raises concerns about the potential chaos such a policy change could create, particularly for families with mixed immigration statuses.
National Implications
This case is part of a broader legal pushback, with multiple states and cities arguing that the executive order oversteps presidential authority. A federal judge in Seattle recently issued a temporary block on the order, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.”
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications, not just for the children born in the U.S. but for the interpretation of constitutional rights across the country.
Connecticut’s Role in Defending Constitutional Rights
Connecticut’s participation in this lawsuit underscores the state’s commitment to upholding constitutional protections. As Attorney General Tong remarked, protecting birthright citizenship is fundamental to ensuring equality and opportunity for all.
