A coalition of 18 Democratic states has taken President Donald Trump to court over his executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship. The states’ Attorneys-General filed the lawsuits on Tuesday, challenging the order as unconstitutional.

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, ensures that anyone born or naturalized in the US is automatically granted citizenship. This provision was originally added to guarantee citizenship rights for Black Americans who were excluded at the time. Over the years, it has been interpreted to apply to all children born in the US, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

President Trump, after being sworn into office, began pushing for tougher immigration policies, including this order to end birthright citizenship. The White House has stated that the current interpretation of the 14th Amendment is incorrect and that children born in the US to non-citizen parents should not automatically be granted citizenship.

The 18 states argue that Trump’s executive order violates the Constitution, and they have asked the court to fast-track the case to block the order before it goes into effect in 30 days. Some of the states involved in the lawsuit include California, New York, New Jersey, and Colorado.

New York Attorney-General Letitia James emphasized that birthright citizenship is a fundamental right and cannot be altered by executive orders. “President Trump’s attempt to undermine birthright citizenship is not just unconstitutional, but it is dangerous,” she said. “We are fighting to protect the US Constitution and ensure that the promise of citizenship remains intact for all born here.”

Additionally, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also filed a lawsuit seeking to block the executive order, adding to the legal challenges Trump’s plan faces.

This legal battle marks a crucial moment in the ongoing debate about birthright citizenship and immigration reform in the US.