NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after President Trump issued an Executive Order trying to end birthright citizenship in the United States:
“For over 156 years, the United States Constitution has clearly stated that anyone born on our nation’s soil is a citizen of the United States. President Trump cannot ignore the 14th Amendment, or any part of our Constitution.
“This executive order is nothing but an attempt to sow division and fear, but we are prepared to fight back with the full force of the law to uphold the integrity of our Constitution.
“As Attorney General, I will always protect the legal rights of immigrants and their families and communities. We are reviewing our legal options.”
What is Birthright Citizenship?
Birthright citizenship is a rule that says if you are born in a certain country, you automatically become a citizen of that country. It doesn’t matter where your parents are from or what country they are citizens of — just being born on the country’s land is enough for you to be considered a citizen there.
How Does It Work in the United States?
In the United States, this rule comes from the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. It says that anyone born in the U.S. is a U.S. citizen. This includes all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico. Even if your parents are not U.S. citizens, you would still be a citizen if you were born here.
Why Does Birthright Citizenship Exist?
The idea is to make sure everyone has equal rights and opportunities. It also helps prevent people from being “stateless,” which means not having a country they belong to. If you’re born somewhere, you’re automatically part of that community.
What Are the Benefits?
Being a citizen gives you certain rights, like:
- The right to vote when you’re older.
- The ability to get a U.S. passport and travel.
- Protection under U.S. laws.
Does Every Country Have Birthright Citizenship?
No, not all countries have this rule. Some countries only give citizenship if your parents are citizens of that country. The U.S. is one of the countries that follow the “born here, citizen here” rule, also called “jus soli,” which is Latin for “right of the soil.”
So, in short, birthright citizenship is like getting a free membership to a club just because you were born in a certain place!
