Federal judge to pause Trumps birthright citizenship order

Published: Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 2:54 pm

Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order

A federal judge has moved to halt President Trump's executive order concerning birthright citizenship. The judge, following a hearing, announced the certification of a class action lawsuit encompassing all children affected by the order and will issue a preliminary injunction to block its implementation. A written order, including a seven-day stay to allow for appeal, is forthcoming.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of a pregnant woman and parents with infants, challenges the order that denies citizenship to individuals born to parents residing in the U.S. illegally or temporarily. The plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and others. The legal basis of the challenge rests on the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which defines U.S. citizenship.

The Trump administration argues that the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" in the 14th Amendment allows the U.S. to deny citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants. The judge, however, found these arguments unpersuasive, stating that the deprivation of U.S. citizenship constitutes irreparable harm.

This ruling follows a Supreme Court decision that limited previous nationwide injunctions against the order, giving lower courts a 30-day window to act. Similar legal battles are unfolding in other states, including Washington and Maryland, where courts are considering class action lawsuits and requests for injunctions. Immigrant rights organizations are advising their members not to panic, emphasizing the ongoing legal challenges to the executive order.

The plaintiffs, who are using pseudonyms, include individuals seeking asylum and those in the process of obtaining legal permanent status. They express concerns about their children's future and the potential for family separation.

BNN's Perspective: The legal challenges to the executive order highlight the complex and often contentious debate surrounding immigration and citizenship. While the administration argues for stricter interpretations of existing laws, opponents emphasize the constitutional rights of individuals and the potential impact on families. The courts are tasked with balancing these competing interests, and the outcome of these cases will have significant implications for immigration policy.

Keywords: birthright citizenship, Trump, executive order, federal judge, injunction, lawsuit, 14th Amendment, immigration, ACLU, Supreme Court, class action, citizenship, undocumented immigrants, legal challenge, asylum, permanent status

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