A U.S. federal judge has halted Donald Trump’s plan to end automatic citizenship for children born on American soil.
Court Declares Order Unconstitutional
A federal judge in Washington issued a temporary block on Trump’s executive order, which sought to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents without permanent residency. Judge John Coughenour ruled the order as unconstitutional, citing the 14th Amendment, which guarantees birthright citizenship.
Coughenour described the case as one of the most straightforward in his decades-long career. The temporary block is effective for 14 days. Trump, however, announced plans to appeal the decision. At the same time, 22 U.S. states, cities, and civil rights organizations have filed lawsuits challenging the order.
Constitutional Amendment Required for Change
Legal experts emphasize that the birthright citizenship principle cannot be altered through an executive order. Changing it would require a constitutional amendment, necessitating approval from two-thirds of both congressional chambers and ratification by 38 states.
Although Trump claimed that the U.S. is the only country with birthright citizenship, this is inaccurate. Many nations, including Canada and Mexico, follow similar policies. In Germany, a 2000 law grants citizenship to children of foreign parents if they reside legally and long-term in the country.
Mexico Prepares for Potential Deportations
The citizenship order is part of Trump’s broader immigration agenda. He has also announced plans for mass deportations of undocumented migrants and declared a national emergency at the southern border, deploying 1,500 additional troops.
In response, Mexico is preparing for an influx of deportees. In the border city of Matamoros, authorities have set up temporary shelters for up to 3,000 people. Nationwide, Mexico plans to establish 12 reception centers, including three for migrants of other nationalities. This program is called “Mexico Embraces You.”
The court’s intervention is a significant setback for Trump’s immigration policies. The legal battles ahead will likely determine the future of birthright citizenship in the U.S.