Statements from NJ Officials on the First Circuit Decision Upholding Birthright Citizenship

Statement by Governor Murphy on the First Circuit Decision Upholding Birthright Citizenship: “Today’s decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit reaffirms what we have always known to be true: citizenship of children born in the United States does not depend on the citizenship of their parents, and any attempt to void this fundamental constitutional right is blatantly illegal. The First Circuit – and every court to consider the merits of this case – have made it clear that the President’s attempt to unilaterally end birthright citizenship is a flagrant violation of the U.S. Constitution, along with centuries of Supreme Court precedent. I applaud Attorney General Matt Platkin and Solicitor General Jeremy Feigenbaum for their unrelenting defense of our constitutional rights. We remain steadfast in our dedication to protecting the rights of the American people.”

Statement by Attorney General Platkin on First Circuit Court Victory in Birthright Citizenship Case: “As we have been saying since Inauguration Day, the President cannot rewrite citizenship with the stroke of a pen. We are grateful that the First Circuit has unanimously agreed that President Trump’s executive order to terminate birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, violates centuries of Supreme Court precedent and history, and must remain blocked across the country. Every judge to consider the merits has agreed the President cannot upend a constitutional consensus that has existed at every point in our history except for the Civil War. We look forward to continuing this fight, which is existential to our Constitution and our democratic republic.”

The opinion of the court can be found here.