A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily halted Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship in the United States.
US District Court Judge John Coughenour deemed Trump’s executive order “blatantly unconstitutional” and issued a restraining order after a brief 25-minute hearing on Thursday, preventing it from taking effect for 14 days pending further legal review.
The long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment guarantees automatic citizenship to nearly anyone born on US soil. Trump’s executive order sought to revoke that right for children born to undocumented immigrants or those on temporary visas.
Four states—Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon—requested a temporary pause on the executive order, citing its unconstitutionality and potential harm. During the hearing, Judge Coughenour criticized the legal basis of the order, expressing disbelief at its constitutionality and questioning its drafting process.
The executive order, set to apply to children born on or after February 19, directed federal agencies to deny citizenship documentation, such as passports, to those it deemed ineligible. Reports suggested that enforcement could include withholding official documents, effectively rendering individuals stateless.
The four states, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other challengers, argue that the 14th Amendment unequivocally confers citizenship to individuals born in the US and that the president lacks the authority to amend the Constitution unilaterally. The states warned that implementation of the order would cause irreparable harm by stripping citizenship from affected individuals, exposing them to potential detention or deportation.
The Department of Justice defended the order, claiming it was integral to addressing immigration issues and the southern border crisis. However, legal experts and advocates contend that such a change would require a constitutional amendment, a process demanding broad legislative and state-level approval.
The case is expected to advance to the US Supreme Court. Meanwhile, opposition continues to mount, with 18 Democratic-led states, the District of Columbia, and San Francisco filing additional challenges against the order.
Adopted in 1868, the 14th Amendment was originally intended to grant citizenship to freed slaves and has since been interpreted as ensuring birthright citizenship for those born in the US, barring limited exceptions.
