Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Denounces Trump’s Promise to End Birthright Citizenship
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Washington, DC – October 30, 2018 – In an effort to deflect from criticism about his handling of the mass shooting at a synagogue, the targeted package bombing attacks, and the murder of two Kentucky senior citizens in a hate crime shooting, Trump announced a plan to issue an executive order to end birthright citizenship.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC issues the following statement:
“Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC embraces the diversity that immigration has brought to our country, and our community knows full well the importance of birthright citizenship specifically: in 1898 the Supreme Court declared in the case of U.S. vs. Wong Kim Ark that the son of Chinese nationals - who themselves were forbidden under the Chinese Exclusion Act from ever becoming U.S. citizens - should not be deprived of birthright citizenship himself. This ruling has contributed to the makeup of our country and has made our nation what it is today.
We are disgusted that President Trump is further inciting his base against immigrants by trying to end birthright citizenship. In the wake of several hate crimes in the last week, the President has chosen to double down on his policy attacks against a huge portion of the American public. While this may just be a political ploy, it is so dangerous an idea as to warrant a response.
From the Chinese Exclusion Act to the current Muslim Ban and repeated attacks on immigrants, the attempt to end birthright citizenship is a core part of a white nationalist agenda to define citizenship as white and cast out all people of color. If his vision were to be realized, millions of Americans could be stripped of citizenship. This move clearly shows that no immigrant – regardless of immigration status, party affiliation, or country of origin – is safe from this administration’s heinous, bigoted agenda.
Trump cannot circumvent the Fourteenth Amendment. We as Americans will defend our rights when they are under attack from the White House. Though the President lacks the authority to follow through on his threat, we urge our Congressional leaders to reject Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda and protect our families and communities."