State of Washington et al. v. Donald Trump

Public Rights Project — on behalf of a coalition of 130 local governments and local government officials — filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals (9th Circuit) to uphold a district court’s preliminary injunction. The previous ruling blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order, which denied birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S., from going into effect.

The brief explains the distinct harm that local governments will face if birthright citizenship is eliminated, including administrative confusion and the need for local governments to invest in new systems to determine children’s citizenship in their cities and counties. 

We also argue that the executive order prevents children from accessing federally funded public benefits. Local governments will be forced to navigate these consequences that will result from depriving community members of essential health and welfare benefits and educational services, including spikes in poverty, disease, and crime.

The signatories are located in 97 jurisdictions across 24 states.

In February 2025, Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief on behalf of more than 110 local governments and local government officials requesting the preliminary injunction.