Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship was blocked by federal district courts in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington state.
Washington, United States – Former President Donald Trump has taken his fight to end birthright citizenship to the Supreme Court after lower courts blocked his executive order.
Trump signed the order on his first day in office, aiming to stop automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. if their parents are in the country illegally or on temporary visas. However, federal courts in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Washington state ruled against it, preventing it from taking effect.
What Is Birthright Citizenship?
Birthright citizenship is part of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It says that anyone born on American soil is automatically a U.S. citizen, no matter their parents’ immigration status. Trump’s order challenges this rule, arguing that people in the U.S. illegally or on temporary visas are not fully under U.S. jurisdiction.
Supreme Court Involvement
The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to limit the lower court rulings so they only apply to the specific people who sued, rather than blocking the law for the whole country. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris called this a “modest” request and did not ask the Supreme Court to decide yet whether Trump’s order is constitutional.
Harris also criticized the number of nationwide court rulings stopping Trump’s policies, calling it an “epidemic” that prevents the government from doing its job.
Legal Pushback
Trump has faced many legal challenges while trying to limit illegal immigration, cut government spending, and reduce the federal workforce. In a recent setback, a judge in California ordered the government to rehire thousands of workers who had been fired.
A Clear Violation of the Constitution?
Judge John Coughenour, who reviewed the case in Washington state, called Trump’s order “blatantly unconstitutional.” He said the issue was so clear that he could not recall another case like it in over 40 years on the bench.
With three Trump-appointed justices on the conservative-leaning Supreme Court, the decision could be a major test of presidential power and how far the judiciary will push back.
