SEATTLE: A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked an executive order by former President Donald Trump that sought to limit birthright citizenship in the United States.
The order, signed on Trump’s first day back in office, directed agencies not to recognize children born in the U.S. as citizens if neither parent is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Judge John Coughenour of Seattle issued a temporary restraining order after four states—Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon—challenged the policy. The states argued that the order violated the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the U.S.
The judge, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, described the order as “blatantly unconstitutional.” He questioned the legality of the policy during the hearing and noted its clear conflict with the Constitution.
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The ruling halts enforcement of the order nationwide for 14 days while the court considers a longer injunction. The next hearing is scheduled for February 6.
Under Trump’s order, children born in the U.S. after February 19, whose parents are neither citizens nor permanent residents, would face deportation and be denied Social Security numbers, government benefits, and lawful work rights in the future.
Trump called the ruling a setback and said, “Obviously, we’ll appeal.” Meanwhile, the Justice Department defended the order as constitutional, but the court rejected this argument. This is the first legal challenge to Trump’s immigration policies during his second term in office.
