A group of Democratic state attorneys general has come together to form a strategic alliance aimed at countering President Donald Trump’s proposed changes to birthright citizenship, according to a new report.
This coalition, which includes 23 attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia, seeks to challenge the president’s executive order that aims to end the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants, according to Trending Politics.
A plan to counter the Trump administration’s sweeping reforms to illegal immigration, particularly the elimination of birthright citizenship, has been outlined in a document obtained by the Heritage Foundation.
The agreement reveals that the attorneys general have formed a “secret pact” to launch a concerted effort to block the termination of birthright citizenship following Trump’s signing of a related executive order, as reported by The Western Journal.
The pact focuses specifically on the elimination of birthright citizenship.
The relevant section of the Fourteenth 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.”
However, critics of birthright citizenship, particularly conservatives, argue that children born to illegal immigrants do not fall under this provision, as their parents are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”
The attorneys general involved in this initiative come from states that are not only politically significant but also key battleground areas. Among the 22 states, five are considered swing states—Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin—that went for Trump in the 2024 election.
Other states, such as New York, New Jersey, Minnesota and New Mexico, have traditionally leaned Democratic but have experienced closer-than-expected margins in recent elections, fueling concern among Democrats about future outcomes.
The legal agreement between the attorneys general details a coordinated effort to challenge any executive actions related to birthright citizenship. This “common interest agreement” ensures that all parties involved work together, sharing legal strategies and confidential information to advance the case against Trump’s proposed changes.
The Trump administration, which has faced pushback from both courts and opposition groups, has continued to defend its actions. Trump and Vice President JD Vance have criticized the power of district courts to block the executive order.
A New Hampshire judge became the third to halt the implementation of Trump’s policy on Tuesday, further complicating efforts to curb birthright citizenship, according to TP.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has publicly condemned what she described as “activist judges” who are obstructing the administration’s agenda. She suggested that these judges are undermining the law, calling their actions a “constitutional crisis” rather than the president’s executive orders.
In response to these ongoing legal battles, Senate Republicans, led by Utah Sen. Mike Lee (R), have introduced legislation to limit the ability of district judges to issue nationwide injunctions. The push for reform may ultimately bring the matter before the U.S. Supreme Court, where the future of birthright citizenship could be decided once and for all, TP reports.
Despite the judicial setbacks, Trump has expressed his intent to follow the court rulings but emphasized that his administration will continue to pursue an appeal.
“I follow the courts. I have to follow the law,” Trump said from the Oval Office on Wednesday.
“All it means is that we appeal.”
