Yesterday, the League of Women Voters, NAACP, and Equal Justice Society filed an amicus brief urging a federal court to invalidate an illegal executive order issued by President Trump seeking to revoke birthright citizenship. This brief, identical to one filed in April by the same organizations in Washington v. Trump, is being filed in New Jersey v. Trump – another case challenging the executive order. 

Represented by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, this filing reinforces that birthright citizenship is a right rooted in the purpose of the Reconstruction Amendments, which were established to end slavery, ensure due process, and fortify voting rights. Collectively, these amendments protect the full personhood and civil rights of Black Americans and other historically excluded communities.  

The brief also makes the case that the executive order would erode American democracy by diminishing the ability for Black Americans and other communities of color to meaningfully participate in democracy. The order would drastically reshape the electorate and reimpose a racial hierarchy previously abolished by the Reconstruction Amendments.   

“The Fourteenth Amendment is unequivocal and clear: any person born in the United States is a US citizen,” said Celina Stewart, chief executive officer of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “The intent of the Fourteenth Amendment laid the groundwork for civil rights advancements in this country while securing a legal framework for equality in America. The League of Women Voters of the US will continue pushing this administration to honor the Constitution, push back on direct attacks on Black Americans and fight to ensure the promise of American democracy and personhood.” 

Read the press release from Washington v. Trump, here.