Arizona sues to block Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship

Several states, including Arizona, are challenging President Donald Trump's executive order that would end birthright citizenship.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes held a news conference on Jan. 21 to announce a lawsuit.

What is birthright citizenship?

The backstory:

Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States is a citizen, regardless of their parents' immigration status.

The 14th Amendment states that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

What we know:

Hours after being sworn into office, Trump signed an executive order on Monday aiming to end birthright citizenship. Trump also declared a national emergency at the border.

Related

Trump executive action attempts to end birthright citizenship

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday hoping to end birthright citizenship, one of several executive actions signed in the hours after he was sworn into office.

What they're saying:

"Birthright citizenship has allowed America to become the vibrant and dynamic home to families from all corners of this planet," Mayes said in a statement. "It has helped make our country the strong, prosperous, and great nation that it is today." 

Trump said his executive order is part of his strategy to "fully secure the borders."

ImmigrationArizona PoliticsKris MayesDonald J. TrumpPhoenixNewsAlerts