Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is leading 17 states in an amicus brief supporting the Trump administration's executive order denying birthright citizenship to children of illegal immigrants.

America started doing so at the end of the civil war. The constitution was amended then to overturn the Dred Scott decision of 1857, which held that black people were not Americans. The 14th Amendment ensured that freed slaves and their children would henceforth be citizens.

A group of House Republicans asked federal courts on Monday to decide in favor of President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order, marking the latest move in a string of contentious legal fights over the matter.

Trump’s citizenship order is best understood as a symbolic stand against the “invasion” he perceives when people enter this country in pursuit of better lives.

America started doing so at the end of the Civil War. The constitution was amended then to overturn the Dred Scott decision of 1857, which held that black people were not Americans. The 14th Amendment ensured that freed slaves and their children would henceforth be citizens.

Following Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants, several Republicans introduced a bill that would reform U.S. law to accomplish exactly that.

President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship will face its next legal hurdle this week when three separate judges hold hearings on the issue.