Federal judge blocks Trump’s order on birthright citizenship

A US federal judge has temporarily blocked an executive order issued by President Donald Trump to end automatic birthright citizenship in the country. The order, signed on Trump’s first day in office during his second term on January 20, would have denied citizenship to children born in the US if neither parent is a citizen or legal resident.

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The ruling, issued by US District Judge John Coughenour, was in response to lawsuits filed by four Democratic-led states, including Washington and Illinois, along with civil rights groups and immigrant organizations. Judge Coughenour deemed the executive order unconstitutional and issued a temporary restraining order, halting its implementation for 14 days.

This legal battle marks the first major court challenge of Trump’s renewed presidency. The executive order, scheduled to take effect on February 20, would overturn protections under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on US soil.

Opponents argued the order directly violated constitutional provisions, prompting swift legal action. The judge has scheduled a hearing on February 6 to consider extending the block while the case proceeds.

The administration contended the order had not been litigated before, but the judge’s decision underscores the constitutional challenges facing the policy as courts prepare to deliberate its fate.