
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, America First Legal (AFL) and Boyden Gray PLLC filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on behalf of U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and 17 members of the House Judiciary Committee in Washington v. Trump, defending President Trump’s Executive Order 14160, “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.”
The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution 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.” However, the text and history of this provision do not confer citizenship on the children of aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States.
In its brief, AFL argues:
- Citizenship is a political right granted by Congress, not an automatic entitlement.
- Congress has never authorized birthright citizenship for the children of aliens unlawfully present in the country.
- No other branch of the U.S. government — including the Executive Branch — has the authority to confer birthright citizenship.
Accordingly, AFL supports President Trump’s Executive Order 14160, which underscores that the Executive Branch cannot grant citizenship to those illegally present in the United States.
AFL is proud to represent the following members of Congress in filing this brief: Chairman Jim Jordan and Reps. Andy Biggs, Chip Roy, Brandon Gill, Troy Nehls, Lance Gooden, Victoria Spartz, Mark Harris, Scott Fitzgerald, Robert Onder, Harriet M. Hageman, Tom McClintock, Wesley Hunt, Glenn Grothman, Ben Cline, Russell Fry, Michael Baumgartner, and Brad Knott.
Statement from Dan Epstein, America First Legal Vice President:
“America First Legal is proud to represent the House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and other members of Congress to defend the President’s Executive Order, ‘Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.’ The members argue what is plain: Only those individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are entitled to American citizenship. ‘Jurisdiction’ means allegiance, and breaking the laws to enter our country signifies a lack of allegiance to the United States. Thus, those born in the continental United States from parents who were not citizens at the time are not citizens of the United States,” said Dan Epstein.
Read the amicus brief here.
Follow us on social media for the latest updates on America First Legal’s fight to protect your constitutional rights!
X, Facebook, Instagram, Truth Social, Youtube
For press inquiries, please contact [email protected].
Photo credit – adobe stock images: Ruslan Gilmanshin