Four Democratic-led states will urge a federal judge in Seattle on Thursday to block U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from enforcing the Republican's executive order curtailing the right to automatic birthright citizenship in the United States.

The U.S. is among about 30 countries where birthright citizenship — the principle of jus soli or “right of the soil” — is applied.

The Trump administration is "twisting itself in knots" in trying to limit birthright citizenship and focus on deportations, argues New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.