A federal judge has blocked the enforcement of former President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship in the United States.
The ruling, delivered by District Judge Deborah Boardman, indefinitely halts the policy, which was set to take effect on February 19. She ruled that the order contradicts the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on US soil.
“No court in the country has ever endorsed the president’s interpretation. This court will not be the first,” Boardman stated, citing Supreme Court precedent.
The decision follows a similar ruling in Washington state, where another judge described the order as “blatantly unconstitutional.” Trump has vowed to appeal.
The legal battle revolves around the 14th Amendment and the 1898 Supreme Court case of Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed birthright citizenship for children of immigrants.