Federal Appeals Court to Hear Arguments on Birthright Citizenship

A federal appeals court is set to hear oral arguments regarding President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship in the United States. This hearing, scheduled for Friday afternoon, is part of a broader legal challenge following a Supreme Court ruling in June. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit will consider two consolidated cases: O. Doe v. Trump and the State of New Jersey v. Trump. These cases join others across the nation questioning the legality of Trump’s order.

Background and Legal Context

President Trump signed the executive order on his first day in office, seeking to reinterpret the 14th Amendment. The amendment currently grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. The Trump administration’s order aimed to exclude individuals born to illegal immigrant parents or those on temporary non-immigrant visas from automatic citizenship. However, this interpretation has faced significant legal hurdles.

Supreme Court’s Partial Ruling and Lower Court Injunctions

The Supreme Court recently sided partially with the Trump administration, limiting when lower courts can issue nationwide injunctions against presidential orders. Despite this, a federal judge in New Hampshire issued a nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s order, classifying all affected infants as a class. Similarly, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the order, citing constitutional concerns and issuing another nationwide injunction.

Implications and Future Proceedings

The First Circuit’s upcoming decision remains uncertain, but it follows recent guidance from various U.S. agencies on enforcing the order. This guidance includes new requirements for proving U.S. citizenship at birth, which have been met with widespread opposition from states and immigrant rights groups. Over 22 states have filed lawsuits against the administration, arguing that the executive order is unconstitutional and unprecedented.

Current Status and Public Reaction

As of now, no court has upheld Trump’s executive order, with multiple district courts blocking its implementation. The policy remains unpopular, facing criticism for its potential impact on citizenship rights. The outcome of the First Circuit’s review could significantly influence future legal interpretations of birthright citizenship in the United States.