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Judge Blocks Trump’s Important Order

A federal judge in Maryland issued a nationwide block of President Trump’s executive order aimed at eliminating birthright citizenship on Wednesday. This means the president’s effort to limit the constitutionally protected right to birthright citizenship cannot go into effect this month as planned unless a higher court rules on the case or it is otherwise resolved.

U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman, who was appointed by former President Biden, stated that Supreme Court precedent protects birthright citizenship. She noted that no court has supported the president’s interpretation and made it clear that this court would not be the first to do so. Boardman’s injunction follows a similar ruling by a federal judge in Seattle, who deemed Trump’s effort “blatantly unconstitutional.”

States with Democratic attorneys general have filed lawsuits to block the order, arguing that it violates the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent. The Maryland case was brought forward by two nonprofit civil rights groups and five pregnant women, who claim their babies would lose citizenship under the executive order.

Boardman’s ruling goes beyond a temporary restraining order previously issued by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle. Coughenour had blocked Trump’s executive order for 14 days, which was set to expire this week. In contrast, Boardman’s injunction freezes the White House’s actions indefinitely, remaining in place until the case is resolved.

The executive order proposed by Trump would end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants and those in the U.S. legally on a temporary basis, such as foreign students, workers, or tourists. The president’s legal defense centers around the claim that children of undocumented immigrants are not “subject to” U.S. jurisdiction as outlined in the 14th Amendment. However, legal experts point to an 1898 Supreme Court ruling that undermines this argument.

Eighteen Republican attorneys general, who support Trump’s order, filed an amicus brief in Washington state echoing the White House’s stance. Wednesday’s ruling sets the stage for Trump to potentially appeal to a higher court.


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