A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to block President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. The move follows Trump’s swift use of executive powers to implement his immigration crackdown shortly after taking office on Monday.

Trump’s executive order directs federal agencies to stop issuing passports, citizenship certificates, and other official documentation to children born in the United States to parents who are not legal permanent residents or whose mothers are in the country illegally.

Eighteen states, along with the cities of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have filed the lawsuit in federal court in Massachusetts, arguing that the executive order violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The amendment, long interpreted by the federal government, guarantees citizenship to anyone born on American soil.

The 14th Amendment states:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction to prevent the order from being enforced within its 30-day implementation period and ultimately aims to have the directive invalidated.

New York Attorney General Letitia James underscored the significance of birthright citizenship as a foundational principle of the United States.

"The great promise of our nation is that everyone born here is a citizen of the United States, able to achieve the American dream. This fundamental right, rooted in the 14th Amendment and born from the ashes of slavery, is a cornerstone of our nation's commitment to justice," James stated.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta echoed the sentiment, calling Trump’s order “blatantly unconstitutional and un-American.”

The lawsuit was filed by attorneys general from 18 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

The states have requested the court to issue an immediate block on the executive order while the legal challenge proceeds. The lawsuit is the first major legal pushback against Trump’s immigration agenda since his inauguration.

Trump’s order, which he directed to be enforced within 30 days, marks one of his administration’s most contentious moves to date, setting the stage for a significant constitutional battle.