GALEO Denounces Trump Attack on Birthright Citizenship
October 30, 2018 — Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO, released this statement in response to President Trump’s announcement of attempting to end Birthright Citizenship by Executive Order:
“In the latest of what has become a long list of explicit and relentless attacks on immigrant families and communities, Trump announced in an interview with Aixos that he has plans to issue an executive order that would challenge one of our U.S. Constitution, and specifically the 14th amendment.
Since its ratification on July 9, 1868, the 14th Amendment has afforded Americans with essential rights, one of them being birthright citizenship. The amendment affirms 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.’
The president’s executive action would most assuredly be unconstitutional and it is a clear attempt to undermine U.S. citizenship and established legal precedence. Immigrant advocates, including GALEO, have immediately expressed outrage towards these xenophobic sentiments.
As our nation mourns the terrorist attack and murder by a white nationalist of eleven Jews celebrating a religious service, President Trump continues with his efforts to divide our nation and push a white nationalist agenda. Our communities will come together this week and next as we exercise our right to vote. As Latinos, we reject the move towards white nationalism.”
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