Key Takeaways
• CAIR opposes Trump’s 2025 executive order to end birthright citizenship, calling it unconstitutional and dangerous.
• Federal judges issued nationwide injunctions blocking the order, citing potential violation of the 14th Amendment.
• The Supreme Court is reviewing if Trump’s order can end birthright citizenship and if judges can issue nationwide injunctions.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has taken a strong public stance against the current push by the Trump administration to end birthright citizenship. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this ongoing controversy reached new heights on May 15, 2025, when the issue came before the Supreme Court of the United States. CAIR has called this attempt both “dangerous and unconstitutional,” stating that the executive order signed by President Trump directly targets basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
This article looks closely at what’s happened, why it matters, and what people might expect next. You’ll find simple explanations for all the important parts of this topic, so you can understand how this legal battle could affect families, communities, and the country as a whole.
What Happened: Executive Order to End Birthright Citizenship
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed a new executive order as he began his second term. This order seeks to stop giving automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to parents who are living in the country illegally. If allowed, this rule would change how the nation has understood citizenship for many years.
The order directly challenges the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The amendment clearly says: “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.” This sentence, known as the Citizenship Clause, has long been read to mean that anyone born on U.S. soil becomes a citizen, no matter their parents’ status.
Over many decades, federal courts have followed this rule without question. That’s why this order is such a big deal—it could change the lives of millions of children and their families if it stands.
Courts Push Back Against the Order
Soon after the order was signed, four federal judges took steps to block it. Their main reason was that it probably breaks the Constitution, mainly because of what the 14th Amendment says about citizenship. These rulings put a pause on the order, meaning it cannot go into effect while the court reviews continue.
Three of these judges issued what’s called a “nationwide injunction.” This means the ruling doesn’t just apply to one area or group. Instead, it stops the government from enforcing the order anywhere in the United States until the courts finish looking at it.
Right now, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments about two big questions:
- Is President Trump’s order legal under the Constitution?
- Do federal judges have the power to issue nationwide injunctions like these?
People across the United States are watching closely to see what the Supreme Court will decide.
CAIR’s Response and Why It Matters
CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights group, has spoken loudly and clearly. The group says the Trump administration’s executive order is not just illegal, but also dangerous for American society. CAIR believes the order targets immigrants unfairly and ignores what the Constitution promises to everyone born in the United States.
In its public statements, CAIR said, “President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship is unconstitutional.” CAIR links this order to a larger pattern of government actions that they see as turning against immigrants and Muslims in particular.
Amina Fields, who works for CAIR’s Los Angeles office as a senior attorney for immigrant rights, made a strong point by referencing history. She talked about the famous Supreme Court case of Wong Kim Ark from 1898. In that case, the Court sided with Wong, a man born in California to Chinese parents. Wong Kim Ark was denied entry into the country when he tried to come back from a trip abroad, but the Supreme Court decided he was a citizen because he was born in the U.S. Fields says, just like Wong fought for his rights more than a hundred years ago, “our state and legal partners will continue to challenge these unconstitutional actions by the new administration.”
This message from CAIR is clear—they plan to stand with other organizations and legal teams to keep protecting birthright citizenship.
Who Else Opposes the Order?
CAIR is not alone in its fight. Many other groups and officials are working to stop the executive order from taking effect.
Here’s a closer look at some of the voices against the order:
- The attorneys general from at least 22 states—led by places like California—have filed a lawsuit challenging the order. By joining together, they hope to show that many parts of the United States are united against this major change.
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Civil rights organizations are also involved. Groups like the ACLU, Asian Law Caucus, State Democracy Defenders Fund, and the Legal Defense Fund have launched their own lawsuits. These organizations say the order will hurt communities they work with and support.
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In Congress, over 200 House Democrats are on record as opposing President Trump’s order. They submitted a legal brief (called an amicus brief) urging the courts to reject it. Representative Jamie Raskin voiced his disbelief, saying, “Trump cannot end the Constitutional right to birthright citizenship with the stroke of his pen. That’s laughable.”
This strong opposition shows just how much is at stake. While the Trump administration argues that the President has the power to act in this area, federal courts and many elected officials say the Constitution is clear—and only an official change to the Constitution itself could allow such a dramatic shift.
What Birthright Citizenship Means for Families
It’s important to understand what “birthright citizenship” really means. The term refers to the rule that anyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen, no matter who their parents are or where they come from.
Many people may assume this is just a legal detail, but it has huge effects on real families and communities. If birthright citizenship is taken away from some children, they could face serious problems throughout their lives.
Here are some of the major concerns raised by CAIR and other advocates:
- Loss of Basic Rights: Children born in the United States might not have the same rights as other children. This could affect their ability to go to school, get medical care, or use public services that citizens rely on.
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Deportation Fears: Without citizenship, these children could someday face deportation, even if they have never lived anywhere else but the United States.
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Permanent Second-Class Status: Advocates warn that this change would create a group of people born in the U.S. who do not have the full rights of Americans. They would not be able to vote, serve on juries, or apply for some jobs.
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Problems with Daily Life: Not having citizenship could make it very hard for these children to do simple things most people take for granted. Getting a driver’s license, opening a bank account, or signing up for college could all become difficult or impossible.
The long-term effects could be even greater. Over time, this change could divide communities, make people afraid to seek help, and weaken the sense of belonging that makes the United States unique.
The Trump Administration’s Reasoning
Supporters of the Trump administration’s plan say that the President is just enforcing clear rules. They argue that people who break immigration laws should not be rewarded with citizenship for their children. The Trump administration believes using executive power is the proper way to respond when Congress does not act on its own.
However, most experts and judges have pointed out that the Constitution’s wording seems clear. For well over a century, the rule has been the same: birth on U.S. soil means citizenship, no matter the parents’ status. Any change to this rule would require altering the Constitution itself, something that can only happen through a detailed public and legislative process.
Many civil rights organizations argue the President does not have the authority to simply change this rule with an executive order. They are asking the courts to reinforce what the Constitution says.
What the Courts Have Said So Far
Federal judges have been quick to respond. Courts have said that the President’s order is likely unconstitutional and that it could cause harm if it is allowed to take effect before the legal process is finished. These early rulings put the order on hold everywhere in the country.
In addition, courts are now considering whether federal judges can issue nationwide bans against government actions they believe are illegal. Some say such bans are important to protect people’s rights all across the country, while others argue that only Congress or states should make such big decisions.
Right now, the Supreme Court is focused on two main questions:
- Whether the President can end birthright citizenship using executive power
- Whether lower court judges can stop government actions with nationwide bans
The court’s decision will have a strong impact on how the government can use executive orders moving forward.
What’s at Stake: The Wider Picture
CAIR and other organizations believe that birthright citizenship is more than just a rule about paperwork or status. They say it is a promise that anyone born in the United States can call this place home. For more than a hundred years, this idea has been part of what makes the country different from almost every other nation in the world.
If the Trump administration’s order stands, advocates say it could:
- Damage trust between communities and police or schools
- Make millions of children feel unwanted or afraid
- Lead to a rise in people without legal status, increasing social and economic problems
- Set a new example for other governments who might want to limit rights for their own citizens
CAIR sees this as an attack not only on immigrants but also on the values of fairness and equality that Americans believe in.
Continuing Legal Help and Next Steps
While the courts decide, CAIR is still offering free or low-cost legal help to families who are worried about their status or the order’s impact. The group urges families affected by the executive order to reach out for legal advice if they are worried about birthright citizenship.
You can read more about legal protections and what the courts have already said by visiting this federal summary on PBS.
Looking Forward
The Supreme Court’s decision will be crucial. If it upholds the lower courts’ rulings, President Trump’s executive order will be blocked, and birthright citizenship will remain protected by the 14th Amendment. If the Court instead upholds the order, the law for citizenship in the United States could be changed in a way not seen for over a century.
For now, groups like CAIR, as well as many states and legal experts, will keep speaking out and taking action. They believe defending birthright citizenship is vital for protecting the rights of everyone born in the United States, no matter their background.
In summary, this legal fight is about more than one executive order. It goes to the core of what it means to be American, how the law protects people’s rights, and whether leaders can use executive actions to change basic freedoms. As the case continues, the outcome will affect millions—and shape what citizenship means for future generations.
Learn Today
Birthright Citizenship → A legal principle granting citizenship to anyone born within a country’s territory, regardless of parents’ immigration status.
14th Amendment → An amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing citizenship and equal protection to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.
Executive Order → A directive issued by the President to manage operations of the federal government, holding the force of law.
Nationwide Injunction → A court order that blocks government enforcement of a policy across all U.S. jurisdictions while legal challenges proceed.
Amicus Brief → A legal document submitted by non-parties to offer information or arguments regarding a case being considered by a court.
This Article in a Nutshell
As the Supreme Court debates President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, CAIR and other organizations strongly oppose the move. Federal judges have halted the executive order for now. This legal battle will determine constitutional rights, national identity, and the fate of millions of U.S.-born children and families.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Supreme Court Weighs End to Birthright Citizenship
• Most oppose ending birthright citizenship, NPR/Ipsos poll finds
• Supreme Court Targets Birthright Citizenship in Bombshell Case
• Myra Grypuik’s lifelong wait for Canadian citizenship continues
• El Concilio expands citizenship help as Modesto demand grows
