Judge Overturns Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Restrictions: A Landmark Ruling Following Supreme Court Decision

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has put a stop to the Trump administration’s attempt to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. This ruling is the third court decision blocking the birthright order since a significant Supreme Court ruling in June.

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin stated that a ruling from earlier this year, which was backed by over a dozen states, still stands despite the Supreme Court’s limits on lower-court judges issuing nationwide injunctions. The states involved argue that Trump’s order is unconstitutional and could endanger millions in health insurance funding tied to citizenship status. This matter could quickly return to the Supreme Court.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who was part of the lawsuit, expressed his relief that the court has again prevented what he calls an “unconstitutional” order from taking effect. He emphasized that American-born babies have always been citizens.

The government had requested that Sorokin limit the scope of his previous ruling, claiming it should only apply to visible financial injuries. Sorokin countered that a selective approach would not adequately protect the states, noting the significant movement of people across state lines. He criticized the Trump administration for its lack of clarity on how a limited injunction could be implemented without creating more problems.

While Sorokin’s ruling isn’t the final word, he acknowledged that the Trump administration has the right to pursue its interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment. The future of the issue remains unclear, pending a potential Supreme Court challenge.

In recent weeks, a New Hampshire judge also blocked the executive order, and a San Francisco-based appeals court affirmed a lower court’s decision against it. A Maryland judge is expected to act similarly soon.

The central argument links back to the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, affirming that citizenship cannot be denied based on parentage. Advocates argue that eliminating automatic citizenship for children of undocumented parents could strip crucial support systems for states, impacting essentials like health care and education for low-income children.

The Trump administration’s stance is that these children are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S. and therefore do not qualify for citizenship.

This ongoing legal battle sheds light on the complexities surrounding immigration rights in America, a subject that remains contentious and vital today. As states brace for the potential ramifications of these policies, public opinion appears to lean heavily towards preserving birthright citizenship, reflecting a broader trend of support for inclusion and equality in the country.



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