A US appeals court has ruled President Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship as unconstitutional, delivering another setback to his immigration agenda. The Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an injunction that prevents the Republican president’s executive order from taking effect.
The order, issued on January 20, directs federal agencies to deny citizenship to children born in the US if neither parent is an American citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Birthright citizenship, enshrined in the 14th Amendment for over 150 years, automatically grants US citizenship to anyone born in the country.
The 1st Circuit’s three-judge panel sided with Democratic-led states and immigrant rights groups, who had challenged the order. Earlier, the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals similarly blocked the order, citing its conflict with the 14th Amendment.
The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to review both cases. A Supreme Court hearing could determine whether the order may take effect in some parts of the country. In June, the court limited the ability of lower courts to issue nationwide blocks on Trump’s policies, but it did not rule on the legality of the birthright citizenship order itself.
The injunction in Boston follows a February ruling by U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, an Obama appointee, in favor of 18 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia. After the Supreme Court’s June decision, Judge Sorokin reaffirmed his order, stating that allowing the policy in some states while blocking it in others would create confusion for families and complicate the administration of social services.
The ruling maintains the status quo for now, preventing the executive order from being implemented anywhere in the US, while leaving the broader question of birthright citizenship potentially for the Supreme Court to decide.
(With inputs from Reuters)
The order, issued on January 20, directs federal agencies to deny citizenship to children born in the US if neither parent is an American citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Birthright citizenship, enshrined in the 14th Amendment for over 150 years, automatically grants US citizenship to anyone born in the country.
The 1st Circuit’s three-judge panel sided with Democratic-led states and immigrant rights groups, who had challenged the order. Earlier, the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals similarly blocked the order, citing its conflict with the 14th Amendment.
The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to review both cases. A Supreme Court hearing could determine whether the order may take effect in some parts of the country. In June, the court limited the ability of lower courts to issue nationwide blocks on Trump’s policies, but it did not rule on the legality of the birthright citizenship order itself.
The injunction in Boston follows a February ruling by U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, an Obama appointee, in favor of 18 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia. After the Supreme Court’s June decision, Judge Sorokin reaffirmed his order, stating that allowing the policy in some states while blocking it in others would create confusion for families and complicate the administration of social services.
The ruling maintains the status quo for now, preventing the executive order from being implemented anywhere in the US, while leaving the broader question of birthright citizenship potentially for the Supreme Court to decide.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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