A federal judge has put a stop to former President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for certain immigrants. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman issued an injunction, preventing the order from taking effect until higher courts can review the case.
Trump’s order, which sought to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants and some legal residents, has faced strong legal challenges. Judge Boardman’s decision follows an earlier temporary block by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour, who called the order “blatantly unconstitutional.”
The Trump administration has argued that the 14th Amendment does not apply to children of undocumented immigrants, but legal experts disagree. They point to an 1898 Supreme Court ruling that firmly upholds birthright citizenship. Judge Boardman echoed this sentiment, stating that no court has ever supported Trump’s interpretation of the law.
The lawsuit was filed by two civil rights groups and five pregnant women, who argued that the order would unjustly strip their children of citizenship. The case has sparked a sharp divide, with Democratic attorneys general opposing the order and Republican officials supporting it.
