In a significant legal development, a federal judge in Seattle has issued a temporary restraining order against an executive order by President Donald Trump aimed at ending birthright citizenship. U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, appointed by Ronald Reagan, described the order as “blatantly unconstitutional.”
The executive order, which Trump signed on his first day back in office, sought to alter the interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause. This amendment has historically granted citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, with few exceptions. The order specifically targeted children born to undocumented immigrants, asserting they are not automatically U.S. citizens.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown alongside three other Democratic-led states, contends that the order would deny citizenship to hundreds of thousands born in the U.S. annually. They argue this move not only violates the Constitution but would also impose significant financial and logistical burdens on states, as these children would lose access to federal benefits.
Judge Coughenour’s decision to block the order for 14 days provides a brief respite, allowing for further legal arguments to be presented. The Trump administration’s legal team has argued that the clause “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” in the 14th Amendment allows for such exclusions. However, the judge seemed unswayed by these arguments during the hearing, emphasizing the clear constitutional protection of birthright citizenship.
This case is one of several legal challenges against Trump’s immigration policies, reflecting a broader contention over how the U.S. interprets and applies constitutional rights to citizenship and immigration. The issue is likely to see further debate in the courts, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.