January 20, 2025

Trump's birthright citizenship order denies rights to 150,000 newborns annually

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Trump denies citizenship to 150,000+ newborns annually via executive order.

🛂Immigration📜Constitutional Law🏛️Government✊Civil Rights

President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, denying automatic U.S. citizenship to children born on or after Feb. 19, 2025, whose parents lack legal status (Ogletree.com; stopaapihate.org).

More than 150,000 newborns annually would be rendered stateless under the order, including those born to undocumented immigrants and holders of nonimmigrant visas (ChildrensDefense.org; Reuters.com).

Three federal judges have blocked the order as unconstitutional, with U.S. District Judge John Coughenour stating he "can't remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is" (NPR.org; ACLU.org).

🛂Immigration📜Constitutional Law🏛️Government✊Civil Rights

Test Your Knowledge

Approximately how many babies would be denied U.S. citizenship annually if Trump's order takes full effect?

According to the Pew Research Center, what percentage of Americans disapprove of Trump's birthright citizenship executive order?

What did ACLU attorney Cody Wofsy call Trump's attempt to deny citizenship to babies?

How many states filed lawsuits challenging Trump's birthright citizenship order as unconstitutional?

What did Make the Road New York co-executive director say about their members' courage and resilience?

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People, bills, and sources

President Donald J. Trump

issued the Jan. 20, 2025 executive order limiting birthright citizenship (whitehouse.gov; Ogletree.com).

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour

enjoined implementation of the order, calling its constitutional question unusually clear (NPR.org).

ACLU attorney Cody Wofsy

in litigation described the order as "illegal, profoundly cruel, and contrary to our values" (ACLU.org).

What you can do

Families experiencing passport application denials should consult the FAQ on Trump's birthright citizenship executive order at https://stopaapihate.org/2025/02/28/birthright-citizenship-executive-order-faq/ for step-by-step guidance on required documentation and agency contacts.

School administrators should review registration guidance published by Children’s Defense Fund at https://childrensdefense.org/blog/what-to-know-about-trumps-executive-order-seeking-to-end-birthright-citizenship/ to ensure enrollment procedures do not unlawfully demand proof of immigration status.

State program directors should prepare new citizenship-verification procedures by following recommendations from States United Democracy Center at https://statesunited.org/resources/about-birthright-citizenship/ for determining eligibility under the order’s provisions.