On Monday, President Trump signed a flurry of cruel, reckless, and in some cases flagrantly unconstitutional executive orders. One in particular checks all three of those boxes: His attempt to end birthright citizenship.

Indivisibles,

On Monday, President Trump signed a flurry of cruel, reckless, and in some cases flagrantly unconstitutional executive orders. One in particular checks all three of those boxes: His attempt to end birthright citizenship. 

Birthright citizenship is the principle that every baby born on US soil is a US citizen. Its basis is the 14th Amendment of our Constitution, which could not be more clear: 

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. 

The executive order is already being challenged in at least two different lawsuits. Despite the MAGA-fication of our courts, it’s very unlikely to survive these suits.

But as it makes its way through the courts, it’s imperative we do two things: 

  1. Limit the damage of this EO on babies born in this country
  2. Maximize the political damage of this lawless, xenophobic order on Trump and any Republican who refuses to disavow it

Trump has overreached 

Voters elected Trump to lower prices, not strip citizenship away from babies and cause absolute Constitutional chaos. Yes -- many voters reported caring about immigration and border security. This ain’t that. There’s a Grand Canyon-sized chasm between what the public supports and the draconian policies favored by Trump and his fascist muse Stephen Miller. 

Ending birthright citizenship is especially unpopular. A recent Quinnipiac poll shows that 63% support the current policy (you know, the one that’s constitutionally mandated). Only 29% want it changed. Other polls show similar numbers. 

And for good reason. This order would create a subclass of stateless children who could be denied access to healthcare, education, and basic protections. It applies to children of people here under all sorts of legal statuses, including student visa holders, under protected status like DACA, or here under work visas. Kamala Harris wouldn’t qualify for citizenship if this were in place when she was born. 

We’ve been saying that Trump would quickly overreach, and when he did, it’d be up to us (that means you) to help drive backlash. This is our first opportunity. And mind you -- this isn’t simply to erode Trump’s support so we can win elections. This backlash is necessary to stymie inhumane policies like this one and start getting vulnerable Republicans to distance themselves from the cruel and chaotic madness. 

What you can do right now

Whether your actions help blunt the immediate damage of this EO, stoke backlash to it, or both, depends on where you live and who represents you (if you aren't sure, you can look up your elected officials here). Here are some options: 

If you have a Democratic Governor

Tell your Democratic governor to stand up against Trump’s executive order by making sure children born in your state receive a birth certificate -- as required by the Constitution. Governor Pritzker of Illinois has set the tone with statements like this -- if he’s your governor, thank him!

You can use our call tool to contact your governor. 

 

If you have one or more Republican Member(s) of Congress

  1. Demand they speak out: If you are represented by a Republican senator or senators, or a Republican representative, contact them and ask if they will publicly repudiate the executive order. You can contact them using our email and call tools. Publicize their answer!

    Call your Republican members of Congress >>
    Email your Republican members of Congress >>

  2. Hold them accountable in the local press: You can use our letter to the editor tool to send our sample letter -- or one you write -- to your local papers calling out Republican officials for their silence on Trump’s un-American, unlawful order.

 

If you have one or more Democratic Member(s) of Congress

We’re not going to succeed in fueling a backlash to Trump’s xenophobic order unless people with big megaphones are talking about it too. Use our email and call tools to urge your Democratic member(s) of Congress to condemn it loudly and often. 

Call your Democratic member(s) of Congress >>
Email your Democratic member(s) of Congress >> 

All these actions, our social toolkit, and more can be found on this central landing page. 

Donald Trump’s executive order is a desperate and unconstitutional overreach, revealing his willingness to gamble with the rights of newborns and the foundations of American democracy. By targeting the 14th Amendment, Trump has overplayed his hand, exposing the cruelty and extremism of his agenda. This is a fight we can and must win. Let’s deliver the blowback this attack deserves.

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team
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Indivisible Project is a locally-led, people-powered movement of thousands of local groups in red, blue, and purple states, and in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Our mission is to power and lift up a grassroots movement of local groups to defeat the Trump agenda, elect progressive leaders, and realize bold progressive policies.

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