NJ Attorney General on Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship Case

The Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship Case

• 📌 The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on President Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship, scheduled for May 15th.
• ⚖️ New Jersey is among several states challenging the order, arguing that the 14th Amendment clearly guarantees citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.
• 🏛️ The Attorney General emphasizes that this debate was settled 157 years ago after the Civil War, establishing that babies born on American soil are entitled to citizenship rights.

Arguments Against the Executive Order

• 📜 The case questions whether citizenship should be determined by state, a concept that has never been the case in American history.
• 🗣️ President Trump's assertion that birthright citizenship is about slavery is countered by the argument that the 14th Amendment's intent was to settle the debate on citizenship for those born on U.S. soil.
• 🚫 The executive order is viewed not just as an attack on birthright citizenship, but as an attack on the rule of law and the rights and privileges of individuals in the country.

Potential Consequences of Ending Birthright Citizenship

• ⚠️ If birthright citizenship ends, it could create a second class of residents without clear citizenship status or rights, affecting an estimated 6,000 babies annually in New Jersey alone.
• 🗺️ The arbitrary nature of citizenship being decided by state could lead to disparities, such as a child's citizenship depending on the hospital chosen for birth.
• 🇺🇸 The Attorney General stresses that the 14th Amendment drafters did not intend for birthright citizenship to be decided in such a manner.

Concerns Over Adherence to Court Rulings

• 🚨 There are concerns that the Trump administration might ignore Supreme Court rulings if they are not in their favor, which is a threat to the nation's foundation.
• 🤝 Adhering to court orders, regardless of agreement, is fundamental to the rule of law and a functioning democracy.
• 📢 The Attorney General hopes the American people will voice their opposition if the administration threatens to disregard court decisions, as this would signify a move away from democracy.