In an intense rebuke of an executive order issued by United States President Donald Trump, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, describing the move as “blatantly unconstitutional.”
Judge John Coughenour, a Reagan appointee with over forty years on the bench, delivered the ruling in Seattle and granted a temporary restraining order requested by Washington state and three other Democratic-led states. The emergency order stops the implementation of Trump’s policy for 14 days while further legal proceedings unfold.
Coughenour said: “I’ve been on the bench for over four decades,” Coughenour stated. “I can’t remember another case where the question presented was as clear. Where were the lawyers when the decision to sign the executive order was made?” he added that it “boggled” his mind that any legal professional would consider the order constitutional.
The executive order, which aimed to strip citizenship from children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants and others without permanent legal status, has been widely labelled as a violation of the 14th Amendment. That amendment guarantees citizenship to every individual born on U.S. soil, as long as they are “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”
Lane Polozola, an attorney representing the state of Washington, talked about the urgency of the situation during the court hearing. He said: “Babies are being born today here, and in the plaintiff states and around the country, with a cloud cast over their citizenship.” He warned of the long-term harm facing children denied citizenship under the order and noted: “Births cannot be paused while the court considers this case.”
Polozola accused Trump’s administration of intentionally ignoring the devastating impacts of its policy, suggesting the harm “appears to be the purpose” of the executive order.
The Democratic-led states argue that the order would place a major burden on state programs, both financially and logistically. Without birthright citizenship, children born under the policy would not get access to federal benefits they would otherwise be entitled to.
The administration of Trump, represented by Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate, defended the order by interpreting the 14th Amendment’s jurisdiction clause authorizing the president to exclude certain groups of children from citizenship.
Shumate argued: “Imminent harm is not as clear as the plaintiffs suggest. I understand your concerns.”
He however cautioned against what he called “a snap judgment on the merits.”
Despite the administration’s demand for more time, Coughenour found the constitutional arguments against the executive order to be forcy and unambiguous.
The ruling came amid widespread criticism from immigration advocates, constitutional scholars, and state governments, who warn that ending birthright citizenship could fundamentally alter the fabric of American society.
In a statement after the ruling, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said: “Children born here have always been citizens, no matter the status of their parents. That’s what the 14th Amendment guarantees. This order not only harms families but directly contradicts the values that define our nation.”
The potential fallout of the policy extends beyond the affected families as Democratic states argue that denying citizenship to U.S.-born children would create an low class of stateless individuals who are unable to access critical services or participate fully in society.
Meanwhile, Trump remained defiant. “We’re going to fight this all the way,” he told reporters recently, doubling down on the commitment of his administration to challenging the court’s ruling.
Though the temporary restraining order stops the implementation of the policy for now, the legal battle is not over. Over the next two weeks, the two sides will submit additional briefings, with the possibility of the case escalating toward the Supreme Court.
Judge Coughenour’s ruling has provided a temporary reprieve for families and states battling the implications of Trump’s controversial executive order, but as the case moves forward, the stakes remain high.
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