14th Amendment
Seattle Judge’s Ruling: Second Blow to Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
A federal judge in Seattle has issued an indefinite block on President Donald Trump’s efforts to terminate birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented parents. This ruling, delivered on Thursday, follows a similar decision made just a day prior.
U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour’s nationwide preliminary injunction comes after a temporary restraining order he issued two weeks ago that halted the administration’s plans related to birthright citizenship. Coughenour stated, “It has become ever more apparent that to our president the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. In this courtroom, and under my watch, the rule of law is a bright beacon which I intend to follow.”
His recent actions stem from a lawsuit filed by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, and their counterparts in Oregon and Illinois. Mayes remarked, “Today’s ruling is a win for the Constitution and the rule of law. The court’s decision to block this illegal executive order nationwide protects the basic right to birthright citizenship guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.”
On the preceding Wednesday, a Maryland federal judge also granted a nationwide injunction against Trump’s attempt to revoke birthright citizenship, stemming from a case involving two nonprofits and five pregnant women. A further hearing regarding a preliminary injunction related to 18 states will take place on Friday.
These injunctions are likely to remain in effect pending resolution of the case, unless overruled by a higher court. Legal experts predict the matter will eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Coughenour previously criticized the executive order as “blatantly unconstitutional” during a court session last month, while merging the two pending cases regarding birthright citizenship.
Trump’s executive order aimed to end citizenship for children born to parents who are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents. This directive was scheduled to take effect on February 19. Data shared in the state lawsuit indicated that approximately 153,000 children were born in 2022 to parents without legal immigration status, including around 4,000 in Washington.
Arguments from Washington’s legal team highlighted that regardless of citizenship status, these children are entitled to services under U.S. law. The abrupt policy change could imperil federal funding for essential services for these families.
Since its ratification in 1868, the 14th Amendment has established birthright citizenship as a legal standard, consistently upheld by judicial precedent.
