New Jersey

New Jersey leads effort to challenge Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship

Published

10 months ago

January 21, 2025

New Jersey leads effort to challenge Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship

New Jersey and more than a dozen states said Tuesday they are challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order ending the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship.

New Jersey Democratic Attorney General Matt Platkin said Tuesday that he’s leading a group of 18 states, the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco in filing a lawsuit blocking Trump’s order.

“Presidents have broad power but they are not kings,” Platkin said.

Trump’s order would end the policy of automatically granting citizenship to people born in the U.S., a move he said on the campaign trail he would do once in office.

Platkin and immigrants rights advocates point to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution that says people born in the U.S. and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens, saying it’s clear that it applies to people whose parents were not legally citizens at the time of their birth.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

President Donald Trump moved to end a decades-old immigration policy known as birthright citizenship when he ordered the cancellation of the constitutional guarantee that U.S.-born children are citizens regardless of their parents’ status.

Trump’s roughly 700-word executive order, issued late Monday, amounts to a fulfillment of something he’s talked about during the presidential campaign. But whether it succeeds is far from certain as immigration advocates file lawsuits to block the president.

Here’s a closer look at birthright citizenship, Trump’s executive order and reaction to it:

What is birthright citizenship?

Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. People, for instance, in the United States on a tourist or other visa or in the country illegally can become the parents of a citizen if their child is born here.

It’s been in place for decades and enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, supporters say. But Trump and allies dispute the reading of the amendment and say there need to be tougher standards on becoming a citizen.

What does Trump’s order say?

The order questions that the 14th Amendment extends citizenship automatically to anyone born in the United States.

The 14th Amendment was born in the aftermath of the Civil War and ratified in 1868. It says: “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.”

Trump’s order excludes the following people from automatic citizenship: those whose mothers were not legally in the United States and whose fathers were not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; people whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis and whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents.

It goes on to bar federal agencies from recognizing the citizenship of people in those categories. It takes effect 30 days from Tuesday, on Feb. 19.

Source link

Click to comment

New Jersey

LIVE UPDATES: Devils 2, Sabres 0 | New Jersey Devils

Published

15 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

LIVE UPDATES: Devils 2, Sabres 0 | New Jersey Devils

NewJerseyDevils.com is the official web site of the New Jersey Devils, a member team of the National Hockey League (“NHL”). NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 1999-2025 New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.

Source link

New Jersey

2 killed after fast-moving fire tears through New Jersey home on Thanksgiving

Published

1 day ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

2 killed after fast-moving fire tears through New Jersey home on Thanksgiving

ORANGE, New Jersey (WABC) — Two people were killed after a fast-moving fire tore through a home in New Jersey on Thanksgiving.

Flames broke out around 5 p.m. at the home on Mosswood Avenue in Orange.

The fire department came within minutes, but not before two people inside the home were killed, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Claire Stevens lives a few doors down.

“My grandson was good friends with one of the young people that lived there. And she’s out of the country right now. And I’m just really concerned that maybe, you know, she doesn’t know about her relatives that live in the house that might have been affected by the fire,” Stevens said.

People could be seen keeping warm inside a NJ Transit bus. The American Red Cross says its volunteers provided a family of eight with emergency financial assistance for temporary lodging, food and other needs.

Neighbors are remembering the victims and are praying for the family.

“I just know that they kept their yard really nice and whenever I would go for a walk or run, they were super friendly,” said Matthew Mehr.

Authorities have not released the identity of the victims.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More New Jersey news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.

Source link

New Jersey

How to find food assistance across NJ using this one website

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

How to find food assistance across NJ using this one website

Although the record-breaking government shutdown has ended, the effects are still being felt nationwide — especially in terms of food.

During the shutdown, recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits lost access. Demand surged at food banks as result, leaving many pantries in a struggle to remain stocked.

Now, with the celebration-packed holiday season in full swing, the need for food remains high for some.

To combat this, New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, announced the launch of endinghungernj.com, an online resource that helps residents find and contribute to local food resources.

“As we approach the holiday season, we are reminded that while many of us are preparing to share meals with the people we love, far too many families are still unsure of how they will put food on the table,” Coughlin said in a press release. “That is not acceptable to me, it is not acceptable in New Jersey, and it is the reason why we’ve taken the position that hunger is not inevitable.

“It’s a problem we can solve when government, nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors all pull in the same direction.”

Endinghungernj.com is to serve as a one-stop resource for New Jersey families, containing a comprehensive directory of food assistance across the state.

The website provides county-by-county listings of food pantries and community food resources, as well as a directory of statewide advocates and information on state initiatives and legislation.

For those interested in supporting hunger-relief efforts, the website also provides ways to help both within your local community and on a wider scale.

“Simply put, New Jersey refuses to let families fall through the cracks and endinghungernj.com is another step in making that a reality,” Coughlin said.

“Whether it’s through impactful legislation, creating partnerships with food banks, or simply lending a helping hand, we’re committed to doing everything we can to make sure every resident has the dignity and the peace of mind that comes with a full plate.”

Risha Inaganti writes about trending topics across South Jersey for the Courier-Post. If you have a story she should tell, email her at rinaganti@usatodayco.com. Subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.

Source link