Citizenship

Immigrant Groups Challenge Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Ban in Maryland Court

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BALTIMORE, Md. — Immigrant organizations in Maryland have initiated a legal challenge against an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, which aims to abolish birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents. This contentious policy, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” restricts automatic U.S. citizenship to children unless one of their parents is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Several immigrant rights groups, including CASA and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), argue that this measure contradicts the provisions of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment. The … Read more

San Jose Unites in Prayer Vigil for Immigrant Families Amid New Challenges to Birthright Citizenship

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San Jose, Calif. — In a moving display of unity, people from various religious backgrounds gathered in San José for a prayer vigil dedicated to supporting immigrant families facing uncertain futures. The event highlighted the challenges faced by individuals like Ana, a single mother of two and undocumented immigrant who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. Ana’s story, marked by her fear of deportation and inability to afford medical treatment, underscored the broader anxieties plaguing immigrant communities. Bishop Oscar Cantu of the Catholic Diocese of San José, which oversees 53 Catholic churches, reported stable … Read more

Coalition of 22 States Launches Legal Battle Against Presidential Order on Birthright Citizenship

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A coalition of twenty-two states has filed a lawsuit challenging the order issued by the Trump administration that seeks to end birthright citizenship. This policy change would dramatically alter the application of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to all persons born on U.S. soil. The lawsuit, led by California, argues that the executive order violates the U.S. Constitution and sets a dangerous precedent for undermining civil rights. The states involved include a mix of both traditionally Democratic and Republican-leaning areas, illustrating the widespread opposition to the proposed change. Attorneys for the states assert that … Read more

Judge Approves Settlement in ACLU Lawsuit to Protect Noncitizen Spouses During Citizenship Process

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Boston, MA — A Massachusetts judge has recently given the green light to a significant legal settlement related to a high-profile immigration lawsuit initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. This decision marks a pivotal moment for many noncitizen spouses embroiled in the U.S. immigration system. At the heart of the lawsuit was Lilian Calderon, a Rhode Island woman originally from Guatemala, brought to the U.S. at the tender age of three. Her case gained national attention when, in 2018, she was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a marriage interview—a … Read more