WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) led nine of her colleagues in introducing the Born in the USA Act to effectively block the implementation of President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order attempting to end automatic 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. Senator Rosen was one of the first Congressional leaders to come out forcefully against the President’s birthright citizenship Executive Order. Federal courts have temporarily blocked the order’s implementation, but the Trump Administration is expected to appeal.
Senator Rosen’s bill is co-sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
“The U.S. Constitution is abundantly clear that if you are born in the United States, then you are a citizen,” said Senator 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 Constitution is clear: if you are born in the United States, you are a citizen. President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship is not only unconstitutional, but also attempts to unlawfully deprive American children of their citizenship,” said Senator Durbin. “That is why I am joining Senator Rosen to introduce the Born in the USA Act, to stop government funds from being used to implement this unlawful executive order.”
“Birthright citizenship is not up for debate. Trump’s attempt to end it is not only unconstitutional, it’s un-American,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill makes it clear that we will not allow taxpayer dollars to be used to undermine a fundamental right that has defined our nation for generations.”
“In America we follow the language of the Constitution, not the edicts of pretend Kings,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Birthright citizenship is incontrovertible. President Trump’s order pretending to eliminate this Constitutional provision is simply disingenuous and dangerous.”
“President Trump can’t change the Constitution with a swipe of his pen,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Any child born in the United States is a citizen of the United States, and we will hold this administration accountable for their attempt to deny that right.”
“The Fourteenth Amendment is clear: all persons born in the United States are citizens from their time of birth,” said Senator Booker. “Any suggestion to the contrary undermines the principle of birthright citizenship that has been enshrined in the Constitution for more than 150 years. The President cannot nullify a constitutional amendment and single-handedly strip lawful citizens of their legal status. Congress must act to swiftly pass legislation to block President Trump from using any government funds to carry out his unconstitutional executive order to deny citizenship to children born in the United States.”
Senator Rosen has been clear in her support for Nevada’s immigrant families and for ensuring our immigration system is humane and orderly. She has also been outspoken in opposing mass deportation, and strongly supporting protections for DACA and TPS recipients and their families. Senator Rosen also applauded the Biden Administration’s extension of TPS status for immigrants from El Salvador and Venezuela, and pushed back on the Trump Administration’s action to dismantle TPS for Venezuelans. She has raised concerns over the significant application delays impacting DACA recipients, and gave a floor speech urging her Senate colleagues to take immediate action to permanently protect Dreamers, while simultaneously continuing to work to pass comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship.
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