HOUSTON – A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship in certain cases.
Trump is attempting to stop the constitutional guarantee, in cases of children born to mothers in the US illegally, or children born to mothers in the US legally, but temporarily, and whose fathers are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents. Four states (Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington) argued in a Seattle Federal Court that the 14th Amendment cemented birthright citizenship.
U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, issued the ruling Thursday. NBC News reports the judge listened to 25 minutes of arguments before blocking the policy from going into effect for 14 days.
“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades,” Judge Coughenour said. “I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order.”
This is just one of five cases brought by more than 20 states dealing with immigrant rights. The issue will likely go all the way to the US Supreme Court.
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