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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship in a decision announced on Tuesday, news that was welcomed by lawmakers across Massachusetts.
The Supreme Court rejected an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, which declared that children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants are not American citizens. The executive order had never gone into effect and the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional.
"Without the Fourteenth Amendment, I could not have run to become Attorney General of Massachusetts," said Attorney General Andrea Campbell. "Today, the Supreme Court left in place the principle that the President cannot rewrite the Constitution by executive order, and birthright citizenship remains settled law."
"Birthright citizenship is central to who we are as a nation. It has provided certainty for families across the country and protects the rights of children born on American soil. The Supreme Court made clear today: President Trump can’t rewrite the Constitution," said Gov. Maura Healey in a statement. "Massachusetts is stronger because of the diversity of our people and the contributions of immigrant families. We will continue working to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed and thrive."
"Even Trump’s hand-picked Supreme Court knows that birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the Constitution. The fight to defend immigrant rights from Trump's cruelty is not over, but today the Court upheld the law," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren in a statement posted on social media. "It's simple: if you're born in America, you're an American."
The ACLU of Massachusetts also weighed in, with Executive Director Carol Rose saying in a statement, "This ruling affirms a fundamental and inescapable principle: that everyone born in the United States is entitled to the same rights and protections. Bigotry and bluster cannot change that. And the president cannot rewrite the Constitution. This ruling should make that abundantly clear."