22 states sue to block Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship
Attorneys general from 22 states have filed a lawsuit challenging former President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, a policy that grants citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status. The order, issued Monday, has sparked significant debate and is expected to lead to a prolonged legal battle.
Birthright citizenship, protected under the 14th Amendment, has been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy since its ratification in 1868. The amendment states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Trump’s order, however, seeks to reinterpret this provision, excluding children born to individuals in the U.S. illegally or temporarily and those whose fathers are non-citizens or lack lawful permanent residency.
The order is set to take effect on February 19, prompting 18 states, the District of Columbia, and the city of San Francisco to file suit in federal court. Critics argue that the executive order oversteps constitutional bounds and undermines settled law.
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin emphasized that presidential authority is not absolute. "The president cannot, with a stroke of a pen, erase the 14th Amendment," Platkin said. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who is a birthright citizen, called the lawsuit deeply personal, stating, “This is about protecting the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution.”
The Trump administration has defended the order, dismissing the lawsuit as “an extension of the Left’s resistance.” The White House insists that the current interpretation of birthright citizenship requires reform to address immigration challenges.
Immigration advocates and legal experts warn that the order could destabilize long-established citizenship rights, particularly for children born to undocumented or temporary residents. Gladys Vega, President of La Colaborativa, criticized the move during a press conference, describing it as a direct attack on constitutional protections.
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Canada, Mexico retaliate after Trump imposes tariffs on imports
Washington/Ottawa/Mexico City: US President Donald Trump has imposed steep tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, escalating trade tensions in the region. The move, which Trump had been threatening for months, was formalised through an executive order on Saturday.
In response, Canada's caretaker Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a 25% tariff on US imports. "Tariffs violate a free trade agreement that was negotiated a few years ago. These measures will have real consequences for the American people," Trudeau stated at a press conference. Canada will impose immediate tariffs on C$30 billion worth of US goods starting Tuesday, followed by further tariffs on C$125 billion worth of products in the next three weeks. Trudeau also indicated that Canada is considering non-tariff measures related to critical minerals, energy procurement, and other partnerships.
Trump's executive order places a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10% tariff on all imports from China. The order includes a mechanism to escalate tariffs further if other countries retaliate.
Mexico has also responded with countermeasures. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that while Mexico prioritises collaboration, it will not tolerate subordination. "We must work together under the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, and respect for sovereignty, which is non-negotiable," she stated on social media platform X.
Sheinbaum also rejected Trump's allegations that the Mexican government has ties with criminal organisations, calling the claims "slander" and asserting that Mexico would not accept any form of US intervention in its territory.
With the US' two largest trade partners pushing back, Trump's tariff policy is likely to fuel economic tensions in the region.
