In a significant ruling, a federal judge has blocked former President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to restrict birthright citizenship. This decision was reached in response to Trump’s controversial claim made in 2019, which aimed to end the automatic citizenship granted to children born on U.S. soil, a right that has been protected under the 14th Amendment since its ratification. The judge cited that such an order would contradict the historical understanding and intent of the Constitution, affirming that birthright citizenship is a fundamental principle that should not be altered by executive action. Trump’s directive drew heavy criticism from advocates and legal scholars alike, asserting that it aimed to unduly influence immigration policies. This ruling is poised to have lasting implications on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which states: ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.’ Legal experts have noted that Trump’s attempts to alter the interpretation of this amendment have faced considerable challenges in courtrooms around the country, reflecting a deep divide regarding immigration issues in contemporary American society.
Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
