Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

A federal judge, appointed by President Biden, has issued a nationwide injunction against President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman ruled that the directive likely violates the Constitution, specifically the Fourteenth Amendment. The decision came after Judge Boardman agreed to certify a class-action lawsuit brought by the immigration rights group CASA.

Constitutional Concerns Raised

In her ruling, Judge Boardman emphasized that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their constitutional claim. She argued that Trump’s executive order contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendment and conflicts with established Supreme Court precedent. The judge highlighted that without injunctive relief, the plaintiffs would suffer irreparable harm through the denial of citizenship.

Public Interest and Legal Balance

Judge Boardman further noted that maintaining the status quo of birthright citizenship serves the public interest and that the government would not be harmed by an injunction. On the contrary, she stated that plaintiffs would face significant harm if the executive order were not enjoined pending the lawsuit’s outcome.

Previous Judicial Blocks on Executive Order

This ruling marks the fourth time a federal judge has blocked Trump’s executive order since a Supreme Court decision in June. The order, signed at the start of Trump’s second term, aimed to prevent U.S. government agencies from issuing citizenship documents to children born to illegal immigrants or those without at least one American citizen or lawful permanent resident parent.

Supreme Court’s Stance on Nationwide Injunctions

The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling in May focused on lower courts’ authority to issue nationwide injunctions rather than directly addressing the legality of Trump’s order. The decision prompted immigrant advocacy groups like ACLU and CASA to file class-action lawsuits seeking nationwide relief.