Blumenthal & Colleagues Introduce Bill to Block Implementation of Trump's Unconstitutional Attempt to Eliminate Birthright Citizenship

[HARTFORD, CT] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined his colleagues, led by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), in introducing the Born in the USA Act to effectively block the implementation of President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order attempting to end birthright citizenship, an automatic grant of citizenship for children born in the United States. This bill would prevent any government funds from being used to carry out or enforce this directive which violates the U.S. Constitution. Federal courts have temporarily blocked the order’s implementation, but the Trump Administration is expected to appeal.

“In America we follow the language of the Constitution, not the edicts of pretend Kings,” said Blumenthal. “Birthright citizenship is incontrovertible. President Trump’s order pretending to eliminate this Constitutional provision is simply disingenuous and dangerous.”

“The U.S. Constitution is abundantly clear that if you are born in the United States, then you are a citizen,” said Rosen. “I’m leading my Senate colleagues in introducing this bill to stop President Trump’s unconstitutional attempt to end automatic citizenship for those born here.”

The bill is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

Blumenthal has been clear in his support for Connecticut’s immigrant and refugee families and for ensuring our immigration system is humane and orderly. This Congress, Blumenthal introduced the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act to codify protections for immigrants seeking essential service at locations like hospitals, schools, and courthouses. Blumenthal is also a staunch fighter for ensuring Afghan allies have the aid and freedom they earned and deserve, including a path to permanent legal status under the Blumenthal-sponsored Afghan Adjustment Act, which would allow Afghans who sought refuge in the United States to apply for permanent legal residency after undergoing additional vetting.

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