Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship
A federal judge in Seattle has issued a temporary restraining order against President Donald Trump’s executive order that aimed to end birthright citizenship for children born to foreigners in the U.S.
Legal Challenge to Trump’s Order
During the hearing, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour declared the order as ‘blatantly unconstitutional,’ emphasizing the importance of upholding the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause.
The judge’s decision comes in response to lawsuits filed by 22 states, arguing that Trump’s order violates the longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to almost all individuals born on U.S. soil.
Constitutional Implications
The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, 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.’ This principle has been upheld by the Supreme Court over the years, affirming birthright citizenship as a fundamental right.
Trump’s attempt to alter this constitutional provision has sparked a contentious legal battle, with critics arguing that any changes to birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment rather than an executive order.
Future Legal Proceedings
The temporary restraining order prevents the enforcement of Trump’s order while the legal challenges proceed in court. The outcome of these proceedings will have significant implications for the interpretation of citizenship laws and the extent of presidential authority in immigration matters.
