Sixteen US states sue Trump over border wall emergency for violating constitution

The lawsuit questions the use of diverting funds and said Trump had moved the country towards a 'crisis of his own making'.

Construction crews install new border wall sections seen from Tijuana. Source: AAP

Sixteen US states are suing President Donald Trump's administration over his decision to declare a national emergency to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico, saying the move violated the constitution.

The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, said the president's order was contrary to the Presentment Clause that outlines legislative procedures and the Appropriations Clause, which defines Congress as the final arbiter of public funds.

The move had been previously announced by Xavier Becerra, the attorney general of California, who said his state and others had legal standing because they risked losing moneys intended for military projects, disaster assistance and other purposes.

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