Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, alongside civil rights groups and community leaders, has launched a strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s recent executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, a longstanding guarantee under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
This executive order challenges the established principle that anyone born in the U.S. automatically gains citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The 14th Amendment has traditionally ensured that all individuals born on U.S. soil are granted citizenship, a rule upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court for over 125 years.
Trump’s directive, however, argues that children born to undocumented immigrants should not be entitled to citizenship, claiming that such children are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” a key phrase in the amendment.
Ellison, along with 20 states and San Francisco, filed a lawsuit to block the order, calling it a “blatant breach of the Constitution.” This sentiment was echoed by a federal judge who temporarily blocked the order last Thursday, describing it as “blatantly unconstitutional” and in violation of the 14th Amendment and established Supreme Court precedents.
If the order stands, it could strip U.S. citizenship from hundreds of thousands of children, leaving them without legal identity or the protections associated with being an American citizen. The loss of citizenship could have severe consequences, including loss of access to essential services, education, health care, and the right to work.
It could also lead to the threat of deportation or result in children becoming stateless, with no citizenship in any country.
Shayla Walker, executive director of Our Justice, a reproductive justice organization, denounced the executive order as a regression in the fight for equality. She pointed out that the policy would disproportionately affect Black and Latino immigrant communities.
“Policies like this aren’t just about immigration; they’re about power and control,” Walker said. “These actions aim to strip the dignity and rights of vulnerable communities. Immigrants and their children deserve the freedom to live without the fear of deportation and discrimination. This order would only deepen racial and immigration-based injustice.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office also expressed strong opposition to the executive order. The city’s policies prohibit the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws, and employees are not allowed to inquire about individuals’ immigration status.
“Minneapolis is a place where everyone — regardless of immigration status — should feel safe and supported,” Mayor Frey stated. “We will continue to stand by our immigrant communities, providing the services and protections they need.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU-MN) also strongly opposed the executive order. ACLU-MN Staff Attorney Ben Casper emphasized that the order violates the Constitution and could cause irreversible harm to families.
“Birthright citizenship is a constitutional right, and this executive order seeks to undermine that guarantee for millions of children,” Casper said. “This is a clear case of unconstitutional overreach, and we will do everything we can to ensure it is blocked in the courts.”
This legal battle over Trump’s executive order comes amidst broader concerns about the administration’s efforts to tighten immigration policies under President Biden. During his 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history.
In line with this promise, the White House recently shut down the CBP One App, a tool originally implemented by the Biden administration and used by over 280,000 asylum seekers to process their claims.
Additionally, the Laken Riley Act, which passed with support from Democrats, gives the Trump administration expanded authority to deport individuals living in the U.S. illegally, even those charged with minor offenses like theft or shoplifting. By backing this bill, many Democrats have granted Trump greater power to enforce stricter immigration policies, even against those with minor criminal charges.
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