Immigrant advocates urge AG Jason Miyares to join birthright citizenship lawsuit

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- While President Donald Trump's order ending automatic citizenship for the children of people in the country illegally or temporarily is headed to the Supreme Court, immigrant advocates say one Virginia leader has been silent.

The Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights (VACIR) is asking Attorney General Jason Miyares to join the nationwide lawsuits blocking the executive order.

"The U.S. constitution has always been clear on this issue," said Kim Leung with the Asian Law Caucus on Tuesday, during a press conference to bring attention to Miyares. "If you are born here, you are a citizen."

President Trump signed the order last January, which would deny citizenship that in the past has been granted by the 14th amendment. Since then, it has faced multiple legal challenges, including a lawsuit signed by 22 attorneys general across the country.

Miyares was not one of those signees, and VACIR says by not joining the lawsuit, Miyares is leaving Virginians vulnerable.

"It is a problem that the Attorney General is disregarding his constituents who pay taxes, that pay his salary, that are urging for the defense of Virginia families," said Monica Sarmiento with VACIR.

The group said they have made multiple efforts to meet with Miyares and get him to publicly oppose the order, including starting a petition for him to join the lawsuit that has gained more than 1,300 signatures.

"He has abandoned our community, abandoned us, in our most vulnerable time of need," Sarmiento said.

8News has reached out to Miyares' reelection campaign for a response to VACIR's statements.