- Federal judge blocks Trump’s birthright citizenship order.
- Judge cites 14th Amendment protections and Supreme Court precedent.
- Trump plans to appeal after consecutive rulings against the order.
A federal judge dealt a significant blow to former President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order seeking to limit birthright citizenship in the United States.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman ruled to block the order, halting its enforcement indefinitely and upholding the Constitutional right to citizenship for children born on U.S. soil.
EDITOR’s PICK
- Nigerian Governors Endorse Tax Reforms, Propose New VAT Formula
- Wizkid Crowned Africa’s Top Spotify Earner with $1 Million Monthly
- UNILAG 55th Convocation: Tinubu Highlights Education as Key to Nigeria’s Progress
Judge Boardman’s decision came just weeks before the executive order was set to take effect nationwide on February 19. She stated during the hearing that the denial of birthright citizenship would cause “irreparable harm,” emphasizing that the order conflicted with the 14th Amendment, which has guaranteed birthright citizenship for more than 150 years.
“The denial of the precious right to citizenship will cause irreparable harm,” Judge Boardman said, according to reports. She further noted that Supreme Court precedent, including the landmark 1898 Wong Kim Ark case, protects the right to citizenship for children born in the U.S., regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
Trump’s executive order had sought to restrict birthright citizenship by claiming that individuals in the U.S. illegally or on a visa were not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the country and thus should not be granted citizenship.
This interpretation was sharply criticized by opponents, who argued that it misrepresented the 14th Amendment’s clear language.
This ruling adds to a similar decision made in January by U.S. District Judge John Coughenour in Washington state, who called Trump’s order “blatantly unconstitutional.”
Trump, however, indicated that he would appeal the decision, continuing his efforts to limit birthright citizenship.
The ruling marks another significant setback for the president’s hardline immigration policies.
FURTHER READING
- Soldier Arrested With ‘Canadian Loud’ In Lagos
- I Was Treated Like Nothing Under PaulO’s Label – Spyro
- How To Save Your Life If You Are Bitten By A Snake
Birthright citizenship, a fundamental aspect of U.S. law, was established by the 14th Amendment in 1868, after the Civil War, to ensure that all persons born on U.S. soil would be recognized as citizens.
The legal battles surrounding this order reflect the ongoing debate over immigration and citizenship in the United States. It remains to be seen whether the issue will ultimately reach the Supreme Court for a final ruling.
Click HERE For our Video of The Week
