Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Push to Abolish Birthright Citizenship

A federal judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at revoking birthright citizenship for children of noncitizens. This decision comes as a relief to pregnant mothers and immigrant rights organizations, who express concern over the future of families in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman criticized the Trump administration’s interpretation of the 14th Amendment, stating that stripping citizenship rights from individuals born in the U.S. to undocumented parents is likely unconstitutional. “Citizenship is a most precious right, expressly granted by the 14th Amendment,” Boardman emphasized during a recent hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland.

In a lawsuit filed by five pregnant women, immigrant rights advocates argued that the executive order was unconstitutional, threatening the citizenship of thousands of children nationwide. Swapna Reddy, co-executive director of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, highlighted the fear that the executive order instilled in families, emphasizing the importance of birthright citizenship for national unity.

The nationwide injunction issued by Boardman responds to a similar ruling from a Washington judge earlier this year, who deemed the revocation of birthright citizenship “blatantly unconstitutional.” Boardman remarked that citizenship is a national concern requiring a uniform legal interpretation across the states.

Birthright citizenship was established after the Civil War through the 14th Amendment, which clearly defines citizenship for those born in the U.S. The Trump administration, however, has advanced a controversial interpretation that contends noncitizens do not fall under U.S. jurisdiction.

Justice Department attorneys have cited historical precedents to support this interpretation, arguing against the automatic conferment of citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants. On the other hand, immigrant rights advocates point to various Supreme Court rulings affirming that children born in the U.S. are entitled to citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

Additionally, a coalition of states, including Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, has launched a separate challenge to the executive order, labeling it a misguided attempt to deny citizenship to many American-born children based solely on their parents’ origin.

As of now, the Trump administration has not disclosed any plans to appeal the injunction placed by Judge Boardman, leaving the fate of the birthright citizenship debate uncertain.