In a surprising turn of events, a federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship. The decision, announced on Thursday, halts the implementation of the order for the next 14 days, marking a significant legal setback for the Trump administration.
The order, signed shortly after Trump’s second-term inauguration, sought to alter the interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on US soil. Legal experts and advocacy groups have expressed concerns that the executive order could undermine a core principle of American identity.
A broad coalition, including 22 states, multiple cities, and civil rights organizations, quickly mobilized against the measure, filing a series of lawsuits in response. In his ruling, US District Judge John Coughenour criticized the order as unconstitutional, stressing the importance of birthright citizenship in the fabric of the nation.
“The issue at hand is as clear-cut as it gets,” said Coughenour, a judge with over 40 years of experience. “It is hard to recall a case where the constitutional implications were more evident.”
Trump’s executive order challenged the idea that individuals living in the US without legal status, or on temporary visas, should not be considered “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States, a key argument that could prevent them from obtaining citizenship.
This legal block on the order is just the beginning of a heated battle over immigration policy in the United States, with further court decisions expected in the coming months.
