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A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's executive order that aimed to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States. The order, signed on Inauguration Day, declared that children born to undocumented immigrants or temporary residents would no longer receive automatic citizenship. U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, issued the temporary restraining order on Thursday (January 23), describing the executive order as "blatantly unconstitutional."
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the attorneys general of Washington, Illinois, Oregon, and Arizona, along with other states and activist groups. They argued that the order violates the 14th Amendment, which has been interpreted to guarantee citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil. Judge Coughenour's decision halts the implementation of the order for 14 days, allowing for further legal proceedings.
The executive order has sparked multiple lawsuits across the country, with 22 states and numerous immigrant rights organizations challenging its legality. The lawsuits emphasize the historical interpretation of the 14th Amendment, citing the 1898 Supreme Court case of Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed citizenship for individuals born in the U.S. to immigrant parents.
The order, if implemented, could impact hundreds of thousands of children born in the U.S. each year. According to the lawsuit, in 2022 alone, there were approximately 255,000 births to mothers living in the country illegally. President Trump's order claims that children of noncitizens are not subject to U.S. jurisdiction, a point contested by the lawsuits.
The legal battle over the order is expected to continue, with further hearings and potential appeals.