Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

A federal judge appointed by President Biden has issued a nationwide injunction against Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship directive, suggesting it may conflict with the Constitution.

US District Judge Deborah L. Boardman shared her ruling on Thursday, after siding with CASA, an immigration rights organization, which had filed a class action lawsuit against the order.

“The court found that the plaintiff demonstrated eligibility for a class-wide interim injunction. The executive order is likely inconsistent with clear constitutional language, making it probable that they will succeed in their legal claims,” Judge Boardman noted in her ruling.

“Additionally, the plaintiff established that both class representatives and members are experiencing irreparable harm, particularly in terms of citizenship denial, without the injunctive relief,” she continued. “The government won’t be adversely affected by an injunction that preserves the current citizenship status quo for those born here. However, if the executive order isn’t halted while this case is pending, the plaintiff will certainly face harm.”

This injunction adds to the list of federal judges who have challenged Trump’s executive orders since a Supreme Court ruling in June, as reported by the Washington Post.

Trump’s order was enacted on his first day of his second term, which mandated that all US government agencies decline to issue citizenship documentation to children born to undocumented immigrants.

Interestingly, it was initially halted by a lower court, and after a series of appeals, it reached the Supreme Court, where the case was reviewed in May.

The Supreme Court ultimately issued a 6-3 decision that focused narrowly on the authority of lower courts to issue national injunctions, without directly addressing the legality of Trump’s executive order.

In her ruling, Judge Boardman emphasized that any national relief sought by plaintiffs must be pursued through a class action framework.