A federal judge has hit the pause button on former President Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship in the United States. The executive order, which would deny citizenship to children born on U.S. soil if their parents are undocumented, has been temporarily blocked, giving opponents time to challenge it in court.
Why the Judge Blocked It
Judge John C. Coughenour of Seattle ruled that the order violates the U.S. Constitution, specifically the 14th Amendment. The amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the United States, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. In his decision, the judge called Trump’s action “blatantly unconstitutional” and issued a restraining order that will stop it from being enforced for at least 14 days.
What This Means Right Now
For now, the order cannot take effect. The legal process will move forward, with a hearing scheduled for February 6 to determine the next steps. In the meantime, the Department of Justice says it plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that the executive order is necessary to address issues with immigration.
The Reason It Is Important
Beyond immigration, this lawsuit concerns the extent to which a president can alter constitutional rights. Critics claim the action goes against one of the nation’s fundamental values, while Trump’s supporters contend that removing birthright citizenship is essential to combating illegal immigration.
What’s next?
This temporary halt is only the beginning of what is turning up to be a lengthy court battle. With lawsuits filed by 22 states and other advocacy groups, the matter may eventually reach the Supreme Court. The issue over birthright citizenship is unlikely to end anytime soon.
