ACLU-NJ Statement on NJ Attorney General Filing Suit Defending Birthright Citizenship

For Immediate Release: January 21, 2025

NEWARK – In response to the New Jersey Attorney General filing suit against the Trump administration’s executive order that attempts to undermine birthright citizenship, ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha issued the following statement:

“The Trump administration’s executive order that attempts to strip citizenship from certain children born in the United States does not have the power to override the Constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that every child born in the United States is a citizen regardless of race, color, or ancestry – and that right is fundamental to the promise of our nation.

“Last night, shortly after the executive order was issued, the ACLU and our partners went to court to challenge the Trump administration’s blatant disregard of the Constitution. Today, we’re grateful that New Jersey Attorney General Platkin is leading a group of 18 states in filing suit to stop the unlawful order from taking effect.

“It’s clear that New Jersey will not be intimidated by authoritarianism. Instead, our state will lead by example in defending civil rights and liberties for all who call it home.”

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The ACLU of New Jersey has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all since our founding in 1960. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and expand the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities. We strive to be anti-racist and are actively committed to advancing racial justice for the people of New Jersey. We are a non-partisan organization that operates across political, legal, and cultural fronts to bring about change and build a more equitable society. www.aclu-nj.org