LULAC Vows to Sue Against Unconstitutional Executive Order
Nation’s Oldest and Largest Civil Rights Organization says No to Trump’s Plan
Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) says it will move swiftly to file a federal lawsuit on the same day should the Trump Administration move ahead with an Executive Order calling for abolishing birthright as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
“The sun will not set before Latinos in America have their voice heard loud and clear and we will answer this challenge forcefully and unequivocally,” said Domingo Garcia, National President of LULAC. “Ahead may be one of the most critical constitutional battles of our lifetimes because President Trump is attempting to illegally stop the inevitable course of our country whose citizenry is becoming more diverse. He will do anything to stop that reality even if he has to make a mockery of one of our nation’s most precious documents, the very framework of our democracy,” he added.
President Trump stated in an interview recorded for airing on HBO that the U.S. is the only country in the world where a person can enter, give birth to a baby, and the baby is, “...essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years with all of those benefits." The statement is erroneous since several other countries including Canada and Mexico offer a similar birthright provision within their respective nations’ constitutions.
The Constitutional Accountability Center, a Washington think tank ascribes the true power of the 14th Amendment to its inviolate intent and purpose: “Fixing the conditions of birthright citizenship in the Constitution — rather than leaving them up to constant revision or debate — befits the inherent dignity of citizenship, which should not be granted according to the politics or prejudices of the day.”
“We are witnessing unprecedented events in our nation’s history when a refugee is referred to as a criminal, an invader or a threat to the United States. We are a nation of immigrants and our democracy was founded on the pioneering spirit of individuals seeking a better future for themselves and their loved ones,” says Sindy Benavides, CEO of LULAC. “I am a product of the immigrant experience and stand today as a testament to the very beauty and truth of our nation’s ability to embrace those who come here fleeing extreme poverty, violence, persecution and even death but with a hopeful spirit of embracing their new home and making it better through their hard labor and love,” she added.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina on Tuesday said that he will introduce legislation to end birthright citizenship. He added that he plans "to introduce legislation along the same lines as the proposed executive order" from Trump. “Finally, a president willing to take on this absurd policy of birthright citizenship,” tweeted Graham. “I’ve always supported comprehensive immigration reform — and at the same time — the elimination of birthright citizenship," he added.
“All this comes as no surprise from an Administration that has already shown us its leaders are willing to cage our babies and now they want to take away citizenship from babies,” said Garcia. “We are absolutely determined and committed to defend our children and defend the Constitution. Nothing will stop fair-minded Americans --- not soldiers at the border, explosives in the mail, nor neo-Nazis attacking innocent worshippers in a Jewish synagogue --- from us being united against racial hatred and bigotry,” concluded Garcia.
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.