How President Trump's executive order could impact sovereign tribes

President Donald Trump's executive order targeting birthright citizenship is causing concern across the nation. It's been halted by three federal courts, but what does it mean for sovereign tribal nations?

Viewers have reached out to News 9, asking what this means for sovereign tribal nations.

The 14th Amendment

Ratified in 1868, anyone born in the United States is entitled to the full rights and protections of U.S. citizenship. The amendment prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law.

President Donald Trump's executive order

The Trump administration issued an executive order seeking to deny American citizenship rights to children of illegal migrants, however, it's facing legal challenges with six lawsuits brought on by 22 states, immigration rights groups, and expecting mothers.

In the U.S., anyone born on American soil or with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen is granted citizenship, in what is known as birthright citizenship.

Trump's executive order also raises the question of who now qualifies, as many people would be considered a child of a migrant.

Oklahoma leaders, including U.S. Sen. James Lankford, have responded to Trump's executive order.

"The Trump administration issued an executive order that was specific to birthright citizenship for people who were not legally present in the U.S.," Lankford said.

Native American nation responses

Tribes like the Comanche Nation say "All Comanches are citizens of the United States ... Given the prior breaches of our treaties, we are always concerned, Democrat or Republican, about whether the federal government will continue to fulfill its treaty obligations.., we always remain ready to enforce our rights."

Meanwhile, Brett Chapman, a lawyer who represents Native nations says "Any legal framework that undermines established citizenship rights sets a dangerous precedent—one that could, in time, pose significant threats to Indigenous sovereignty."