Casa, Inc. v. Donald J. Trump

On behalf of more than 110 local governments and local government officials, Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief supporting a request to block an executive order that would end birthright citizenship on Feb. 19, 2025. 

Birthright citizenship, a principle established by the 14th Amendment, grants American citizenship to children born in the United States. Although there are a handful of exceptions to the rule, it typically applies regardless of the parents’ immigration status, meaning that nearly all children born on U.S. soil are recognized as citizens at birth.

The brief, filed on Jan. 29, 2025, argues the executive order defies the U.S. Constitution and contradicts core American values. It also warns of immediate negative impacts on local governments and their communities, including administrative confusion and reduced access to federally funded health care and educational services. Consequently, many local governments will be forced to provide such services directly, further draining already scant local resources.

Filed in four different cases, the brief’s coalition of local governments includes the cities of Baltimore, Chicago, Columbus, Denver, Austin, Minneapolis, and more. 

Update:
On Feb. 5, 2025, the federal district court issued a national preliminary injunction, blocking the birthright citizenship executive order from going into effect.