A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship, saying it’s probably unconstitutional.
The judge pointed out that the order “runs counter to our nation’s 250-year history of citizenship by birth” and emphasized how important this right is.
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Judge blocks Trump’s executive order
A second federal judge came down hard on President Trump’s executive order that wanted to end birthright citizenship.
Judge Deborah Boardman said it’s likely unconstitutional and “runs counter to our nation’s 250-year history of citizenship by birth.”
The order faced immediate legal challenges
This ruling came after a bunch of legal challenges. The order was put on hold almost immediately by another judge, but Judge Boardman’s nationwide injunction just took it another step forward in saying, “No, we’re not having this.”
The order conflicts with constitutional history
Boardman said that the executive order “conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment, contradicts 125-year-old binding Supreme Court precedent and runs counter to our nation’s 250-year history of citizenship by birth.”
That’s a lot of history to go against, right?
No court has endorsed the president’s interpretation
She also pointed out that “no court in the country has ever endorsed the president’s interpretation.” And she was pretty clear on this: “This court will not be the first.”
Legal challenge filed by pregnant women and immigrant-rights groups
The case was filed in Maryland by five pregnant women and two immigrant-rights groups, all of whom argued that Trump’s order would mess with the citizenship of their babies.
Nationwide injunction granted
Judge Boardman, who was appointed by President Biden, decided the injunction needed to apply nationwide. She said this was the best way to ensure that the groups had “complete relief” from the order.
The government is not harmed by the injunction
Boardman also made it clear that “the government will not be harmed by a preliminary injunction that prevents it from enforcing an executive order likely to be found unconstitutional.”
Basically, the government won’t suffer by taking a step back on this for now.
Appeal likely to be filed
The injunction is set to last while the case moves forward, but it’s probably not over yet. The administration is likely going to appeal to a Richmond-based federal appeals court, and this whole thing might even end up at the Supreme Court.
Other challenges and legal proceedings continue
There are more legal battles going on in other states right now, with judges reviewing similar injunctions. And experts say it’s almost certain the Supreme Court will eventually take this up.
Ruling highlights potential harm to families
When Boardman gave her ruling, she emphasized that “citizenship is a most precious right, expressly guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.”
She also warned that Trump’s order would cause “irreparable injury” if it went into effect. If it did, children could lose out on rights, and their parents would be left worrying about the future of their unborn kids’ citizenship.
What’s your take on this?
Last Updated on February 6, 2025 by Reem Haqqi
