The Legal Fight Over Trump’s End to Birthright Citizenship Has Begun

Eighteen states sue Trump to stop his executive order in a case that’s expected to go to the Supreme Court.

Immigration activists demonstrate in front of the Supreme Court.

Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP

Eighteen states, the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco are suing Donald Trump to stop his order unraveling birthright citizenship, in a legal battle that is expected to go to the Supreme Court.

“The president chose to start his second term by knocking down one of our country’s foundational standing rights and disregarding our nation’s founding documents, a terrifying tone to set for the rest of his term,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a press conference.

“Make no mistake, we’re a nation of immigrants,” said Bonta, who was born in the Philippines.