A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order seeking to redefine birthright citizenship, deeming it “blatantly unconstitutional.”
The order, signed on Trump’s first day in office as the 47th President of the United States, directed government agencies to cease issuing citizenship documentation to children born in the U.S. to undocumented migrants or temporary residents. It was scheduled to take effect on January 19 but faced immediate legal challenges.
Legal Pushback and Controversy
The executive order, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” has sparked outrage among immigration advocacy groups and state governments. Four states quickly filed lawsuits, arguing that the order violated the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
In a Seattle courtroom, Judge John Coughenour strongly criticized the Trump administration’s legal arguments. During the hearing, Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate began defending the order, only to be interrupted by Judge Coughenour.
“Is this order constitutional?” the judge asked before answering his own question. “This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” he declared, emphasizing that the Constitution explicitly protects birthright citizenship.
Judge Coughenour went on to question the legal integrity of the executive order. “Frankly, I have difficulty finding that a member of the bar can state confidently that this is a constitutional order,” he said, referencing the American legal profession.
Nationwide Block and Next Steps
Following the ruling, Nicholas Brown, Attorney General of Washington, praised the decision, calling it an obvious and straightforward case. “This is just the first step, but I don’t see this being overturned by another court,” Brown told reporters, emphasizing the strength of the constitutional argument against the order.
The nationwide block temporarily halts the implementation of the executive order while legal challenges continue. Immigration advocates and state officials expect the Trump administration to appeal the ruling, escalating the case to higher courts.
Broader Implications
The blocked order is one of several controversial immigration policies introduced by Trump upon assuming office. Legal experts predict that the case could set a significant precedent for future challenges to executive power and immigration law in the United States.
For now, the 14th Amendment remains intact, securing birthright citizenship for all individuals born on U.S. soil. The Trump administration’s next legal moves are awaited as the broader debate over immigration policy and constitutional rights continues.