AAAF Stands for Birthright Citizenship and the Promise of Equality Under the Law

AAAF Stands for Birthright Citizenship and the Promise of Equality Under the Law

As the country watches today’s Supreme Court oral arguments in CASA v. Trump, the Asian American Advocacy Fund affirms our unwavering support for the guarantees and protections of the 14th Amendment. Enshrined in our Constitution is the fundamental promise that anyone born on U.S. soil is a U.S. citizen—regardless of race, ancestry, or their parents’ immigration status.

We stand in solidarity with the immigrant justice organizations leading the charge to protect this right at the Supreme Court, including CASA, the Constitutional Accountability Center, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, Inc. and the ACLU. Their fight to uphold the Constitution is also our fight—for dignity, stability, and equal protection under the law.

The Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle birthright citizenship through executive order is a direct attack on one of the oldest and most fundamental constitutional guarantees in our country. If allowed to proceed, it would disproportionately harm immigrant communities of color—putting thousands of children born to immigrant families at risk of being denied citizenship and subject to deportation—putting thousands of children born to immigrant families at risk of being denied citizenship and subject to deportation. As Judge Coughenour, a Reagan-appointed judge, stated when he first blocked this order, this order is “blatantly unconstitutional.” 

Now, the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to lift the nationwide block on this harmful policy and let it take effect in parts of the country. That would create chaos—where citizenship depends on what state you're born in, turning one of the most fundamental American rights into a confusing patchwork. It’s a reckless move that would destabilize families and undermine legal protections.

“Ending birthright citizenship, in part or in whole, would have an immediate and deeply harmful impact on Asian American communities,” said Ashna Khanna, Executive Director of the Asian American Advocacy Fund. “This isn’t just a legal question—it’s a moral one. It’s about fairness, stability, and our collective values. Birthright citizenship is a constitutional right, and it must be protected.”

At AAAF, we believe that every person—regardless of where they come from or how they arrived—deserves dignity, safety, and belonging. We remain committed to protecting the rights of our communities and ensuring that America lives up to its promise of equal justice under the law.