Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

Court Halts Implementation Nationwide

A federal judge in Maryland has blocked Donald Trump’s executive order attempting to restrict birthright citizenship in the United States, making her the second judge to issue such a ruling.

U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, ruling in Greenbelt, sided with two immigrant rights groups and five expectant mothers who argued that their children could face an unconstitutional denial of U.S. citizenship due to their parents’ immigration status.

Boardman, a Biden appointee, issued a nationwide preliminary injunction preventing the order from taking effect on Feb. 19 as originally planned.

Judge Emphasizes Constitutional Protection of Citizenship

“Today, virtually every baby born on U.S. soil is a U.S. citizen upon birth,” Boardman stated in her ruling. “That is the law and tradition of our country. That law and tradition are and will remain the status quo pending the resolution of this case.”

Her decision extends protections beyond a prior temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge John Coughenour in Seattle on Jan. 23, which had put a 14-day pause on the policy.

Prior Court Ruling Raised Constitutional Issues

Coughenour, who had halted the policy on a temporary basis, described it as “blatantly unconstitutional.” He is set to hold a hearing Thursday to decide whether to extend his ruling into a broader preliminary injunction.

Trump’s order, signed on Jan. 20, directed federal agencies to deny citizenship recognition to children born in the U.S. unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Multiple Lawsuits Challenge Executive Order

Attorneys representing CASA and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project contend that the order violates the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to individuals born on U.S. soil.

This case is one of at least eight lawsuits filed by Democratic attorneys general, immigrant advocacy groups, and expectant mothers challenging the policy in courts across the country.

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