A federal judge has indefinitely blocked former US President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship, dealing a major blow to his immigration policies. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, states that the order is unconstitutional and contradicts over a century of legal precedent.
Judge Calls Order “Blatantly Unconstitutional”
District Judge Deborah Boardman, presiding over the Maryland court case, emphasized that denying citizenship rights would cause irreparable harm. She added that Trump’s interpretation conflicts with the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to all individuals born on US soil.
- “No court has ever endorsed this interpretation, and this court will not be the first,” Boardman stated.
- The ruling follows an earlier 14-day stay on enforcement issued by another federal judge in Washington state.
Trump’s Order and Legal Opposition
Trump’s executive order, scheduled to take effect on February 19, aimed to exclude children born to undocumented immigrants and visa holders from automatic US citizenship.
- His legal opponents argue that the 14th Amendment has been settled law since 1868.
- They cite the 1898 Supreme Court case Wong Kim Ark, which ruled that children born to immigrants in the US cannot be denied citizenship.
Legal Challenges and Trump’s Response
In January, US District Judge John Coughenour issued the first block on Trump’s order, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.” Despite the setback, Trump vowed to appeal the decision, signaling a prolonged legal battle ahead.
Conclusion
With two federal rulings against it, Trump’s birthright citizenship order faces significant legal hurdles. Experts believe any appeal could reach the Supreme Court, where justices would have to decide whether to uphold centuries-old constitutional rights or allow Trump’s restrictive interpretation to stand.