Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship

Strategic Insights -

A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a preliminary injunction Thursday, blocking President Donald Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship from taking effect anywhere in the U.S. The ruling, which was certified as a class-action lawsuit, affects children born to parents living in the country illegally or temporarily. The order follows a January decision by President Trump, which the Trump administration claims is constitutional under the 14th Amendment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The preliminary injunction was issued by Judge Joseph LaPlante, a Republican appointee, in a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of a pregnant woman, two parents, and their infants.
  • The lawsuit, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and others, challenges President Trump's executive order denying citizenship to children born to parents living in the U.S. illegally or temporarily.
  • The Trump administration claims the 14th Amendment's phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" allows for the denial of citizenship to babies born to women in the country illegally.
  • Government lawyers argued that the executive order was necessary to combat illegal immigration and protect national security, economic stability, and sovereignty.
  • Judge LaPlante rejected the government's arguments, finding them "unpersuasive" and stating that deprivation of U.S. citizenship amounts to irreparable harm.
  • The case is set to return to the Supreme Court, which may be asked to rule on the constitutionality of the executive order.

Statistics:

  • 7 days: The length of the stay to allow for appeal
  • 14th Amendment: The constitutional amendment at issue in the lawsuit
  • 1 hour: The length of the hearing before Judge LaPlante issued the injunction
  • 1 century: The amount of time the birthright citizenship policy has been in place
  • 1: The privilege of U.S. citizenship, as described by Judge LaPlante

Sources:

  • Associated Press: "Federal judge blocks Trump's order ending birthright citizenship"
  • Court documents: "Class Action Lawsuit - Wofsy v. Trump"
  • Trump administration: " Executive Order on Ending Birthright Citizenship"