Appeal Court Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Ban, Affirms 14th Amendment Protection for Children of Immigrants
The Ninth Circuit US Appeal Court has rejected U.S President Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, ruling that such a move is beyond presidential authority.
Trump had sought to strip birthright citizenship from children of undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders, despite the 14th Amendment guaranteeing citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil.
Court Strikes Down Trump’s Executive Order
On January 23, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour issued a temporary block on Trump’s executive order targeting birthright citizenship. Another federal judge, Deborah Boardman, upheld the block on February 5, escalating the legal battle to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
On February 20, the appeals court ruled against the Trump administration, stating that the president does not have the authority to alter birthright citizenship through executive action. The court found no legal justification for the administration’s request.
Trump-Appointed Judge Sides Against Ban
Danielle Forrest, a Trump-appointed judge on the Ninth Circuit, also ruled against the administration’s appeal, stating there was no urgent reason for the court to intervene.
“We should not undertake this task unless the circumstances dictate that we must. They do not here,”
she said.
The lawsuit challenging Trump’s order was led by Democratic attorneys general from four states, spearheaded by Washington.
What Might Come Next?
With this defeat, the Trump administration may escalate the case to the U.S. Supreme Court in a final bid to overturn birthright citizenship protections.
Join our Channel...