Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

A federal judge has intervened, blocking an executive order from President Trump that aimed to restrict birthright citizenship for certain children.

Judge Joseph Laplante, appointed by former President George W. Bush, has allowed plaintiffs to move forward as a class. This class includes infants whose citizenship could be jeopardized if the executive order were to go into effect.

In his ruling, Laplante described the decision to issue a temporary injunction as a “close call,” noting that removing U.S. citizenship could undoubtedly lead to irreparable harm.

This ruling is notable, especially since the Supreme Court recently limited judges’ capabilities to issue sweeping nationwide injunctions against Trump’s policies. However, challengers found a path to seek broader relief through a class action lawsuit.

The implications of Laplante’s ruling affect infants across the nation, effectively functioning as a national injunction. It’s important to note the class specifically excludes parents, as requested by the plaintiffs.

The judge has granted a week for the Trump administration to appeal his decision.

This lawsuit was initiated by a pregnant woman, along with two parents and their children, shortly after a ruling issued last month by the American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations.

Previously, three judges had provided a nationwide injunction but allowed Trump’s order to take effect. After those injunctions were restricted, the legal challengers quickly returned to court to seek a block on the order.

Scheduled to come into force on July 27, the order—signed on Trump’s first day back in the White House—aims to limit birthright citizenship for children born on U.S. soil if one of their parents lacks permanent legal status.

This order challenges the long-standing interpretation of the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment, which has traditionally allowed for birthright citizenship without exceptions. The Justice Department argues that prior interpretations have inadvertently encouraged illegal immigration.

Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigration Rights Project, called the ruling a significant victory, emphasizing that it will help safeguard the citizenship of all children born in the United States as intended by the Constitution.

Wofsy further stated, “We are fighting to ensure that President Trump doesn’t trample on the citizenship rights of one child.”