America First Legal (AFL) and Boyden Gray PLLC have filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The brief supports President Trump's Executive Order 14160, titled "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship," in the case of Washington v. Trump.
The filing was made on behalf of U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and 17 other members of Congress. The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that “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.” However, AFL argues that this provision does not grant citizenship to children born to individuals unlawfully present in the country.
AFL Vice President Dan Epstein stated, “America First Legal is proud to represent the House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and other members of Congress to defend the President’s Executive Order, ‘Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.’ The members argue what is plain: Only those individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are entitled to American citizenship."
Epstein further explained that "'Jurisdiction' means allegiance, and breaking the laws to enter our country signifies a lack of allegiance to the United States." He concluded by stating that "those born in the continental United States from parents who were not citizens at the time are not citizens of the United States."
The amicus brief represents several congressional representatives including Andy Biggs, Chip Roy, Brandon Gill, Troy Nehls, Lance Gooden, Victoria Spartz, Mark Harris, Scott Fitzgerald, Robert Onder, Harriet M. Hageman, Tom McClintock, Wesley Hunt, Glenn Grothman, Ben Cline, Russell Frye Michael Baumgartner and Brad Knott.