ELGIN— State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is tired of President Donald Trump’s unconstitutional ploys. This week, Trump announced his plans to end birthright citizenship for babies born to noncitizens changing a Constitutional right that was established by the nation’s founding fathers.

“Once again, President Trump is abusing his office to attract support from right wing extremists,” Castro said. “We need to work together as a society to embrace the contributions diversity brings to our nation, state and society instead of pitting people against each other. Plain and simple, the president’s actions are illegal.”   

Trump is attempting to make changes to the fourteenth amendment which was adopted on July 9, 1868 as one of the Reconstruction Amendments to address citizenship rights and equal protections of the law.  U.S. Presidents cannot change the Constitution by issuing an executive order.

“Despite his complete and utter ignorance, President Trump cannot singlehandedly change the Constitution to exercise his will,” Castro said. “In times like this we need to come together as a community and spread kindness and generosity whenever possible.”