In a major legal victory for immigrant rights, New York State Attorney General Letitia James welcomed a federal court ruling that upholds birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to Caribbean and other immigrant parents.
The ruling, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin in the District of Massachusetts, blocks an executive order that sought to end automatic citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to parents who are not citizens or permanent residents.
In a statement released on July 25, 2025, Attorney General James said:
“As we have repeatedly said, birthright citizenship is the law of the land. The Constitution is more than just mere words on parchment—it reflects our values. All children born on these shores are citizens bound to be respected under the law.”
Judge Reaffirms Nationwide Protections
Judge Sorokin reaffirmed his preliminary injunction, first issued earlier this year, barring the federal government from implementing the executive order. The court concluded that the policy is likely unconstitutional and would cause irreparable harm if enforced.
This decision reasserts the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause, which guarantees U.S. citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.”
Letitia James Leads Multi-State Challenge
Attorney General James was joined by 18 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit on January 21, 2025, to challenge the legality of the executive order.
The coalition argued that the proposed change would not only violate the Constitution but also harm thousands of families, particularly in immigrant communities.
Their efforts helped secure a nationwide halt to the executive action, offering relief to many Caribbean, Latin American, African, and Asian families with children born in the United States.
Broader Implications for Immigrant Families
The ruling is especially significant amid growing legal and political scrutiny over birthright citizenship and immigration policy.
The decision affirms that citizenship by birth remains a constitutional right, not subject to executive reinterpretation.
Immigration advocates have praised the outcome as a victory for constitutional integrity and equal protection under the law.
