MARYLAND (DC News Now) -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced Tuesday that he and attorney generals from 18 other states have filed a suit in Massachusetts to challenge President Donald Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship. On Monday, just hours after his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship in the United States. Birthright citizenship is a legal principle that automatically grants citizenship to people upon birth, according to the American Immigration Council. In the U.S., the policy is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, which states that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." In 1898, the Supreme Court confirmed the principle, declaring that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen regardless of their parents' legal status. Trump's order, set to take effect on Feb. 19, challenges the idea that the 14th Amendment automatically extends citizenship to those born in the country. Specifically, it excludes the following people from automatic citizenship, according to the Associated Press: People whose mothers were not legally in the country and whose fathers were not citizens or lawful permanent residents; People whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis; People whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents. Brown, along with the other 18 attorney generals, said they believe Trump's executive order violates "the constitutional rights to which all children born in the U.S. are entitled" and that it is inconsistent with the Immigration and Nationality Act and two Supreme Court decisions. As a result, the officials filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, seeking to negate Trump's action and prevent it from taking effect. Those joining Maryland include New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Michigan, Colorado, Delaware, Nevada, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Vermont, Wisconsin, North Carolina, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. States sue to stop Trump’s order blocking birthright citizenship “Birthright citizenship is a right enshrined in our Constitution,” said Brown. “It is a reflection of our country’s ideals, a belief that every baby born on U.S. soil is a member of our great nation and deserves to play a part in its future. Ending birthright citizenship is un-American, and our office will vigorously challenge this blatantly unconstitutional decision in court.”  In a press release, Brown's office emphasized that those who are "stripped" of their citizenship will be forced to live under the threat of deportation and will lose eligibility for several federal programs and benefits, including the ability to serve on juries, vote, obtain a social security card and more. The release also notes that the executive order will cause states to lose federal funding for programs, including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and foster care programs, as fewer people qualify for the programs because of their immigration status.