Pritzker responds to Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship: 'Unconstitutional'

Gov. JB Pritzker criticized an executive order signed by President Donald Trump Monday, which aims to end birthright citizenship, a policy long protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The executive order, signed just hours after Trump’s inauguration, attempts to redefine the meaning of the 14th Amendment, which grants automatic citizenship to anyone born in the United States. 

Trump executive order to end birthright citizenship

What we know:

Trump’s executive order aims to redefine birthright citizenship, stating that only those both born in the U.S. and "subject to the jurisdiction" of the U.S. would automatically be granted citizenship.

The order is part of Trump’s broader strategy to "fully secure the borders" from his first day in office.

"(The executive order) will explain the clear meaning of the 14th Amendment, that U.S. Citizenship extends only to those both born in AND "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States," Trump said in a 2023 campaign release about the intended action.

What we don't know:

It wasn’t clear yet how Trump’s action will attempt to bypass the constitution. The White House did not immediately release the full text of the order. 

Regardless, since birthright citizenship is enshrined in the constitution, Trump’s action will surely face steep legal hurdles. 

The next steps of implementing the order are also unclear, as Trump has spoken before about taking executive action to end birthright citizenship, steering Congress to pass a law to end it, or taking the issue "back to the people." 

What they're saying:

Trump says he expects a legal challenge. He said automatic citizenship was "just ridiculous" and that he believes he was on "good (legal) ground" to change it. 

"That’s a big one," he bantered with reporters while signing an order declaring the border emergency. 

Reaction to Trump's executive action

Pritzker sharply condemned the executive order, calling it unconstitutional.

"President Trump’s executive order to strip birthright citizenship from people born in this country is unconstitutional. Here in Illinois, we follow the law. This is only the beginning of the new administration’s attempt to undermine the rule of law, and the people of Illinois can count on me to stand against unconstitutional actions."

The Source: Background information about the order was taken from a May 30, 2023, campaign release on Trump’s official website. Additional background information was taken from the Associated Press and from Gov. Pritzker's office. 

J.B. PritzkerDonald J. TrumpNewsIllinois PoliticsIllinois