WASHINGTON DC: A U.S. judge has once again halted former President Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship for certain residents, as a legal battle over the executive order continues.
The judge in New Hampshire approved a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of immigrant parents and their newborns, and temporarily blocked the implementation of Trump’s order, according to BBC.
This legal action was initiated after the Supreme Court recently restricted the use of nationwide injunctions by federal courts, though it left room for them in specific legal circumstances. The lawsuit aligns with the new standards outlined by the Court.
Despite this, the White House criticized the ruling, calling it an unlawful effort to bypass the Supreme Court’s guidance. Trump spokesperson Harrison Fields accused the judge of misusing class action procedures to override presidential authority.
Trump’s order, which aimed to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants and temporary visitors, has faced multiple legal challenges.
The U.S. Constitution grants citizenship to anyone born on American soil, and the ACLU argues Trump’s directive is unconstitutional and harmful. The court’s ruling allows the case to proceed and continues to block the order from being enforced. The government has seven days to file an appeal.
The attempt to restrict birthright citizenship was one of Trump’s early immigration policies BBC stated.
Several federal courts had previously issued nationwide stays while considering the legality of the executive order, which the Trump administration contested, arguing lower courts lacked the authority to impose such broad blocks.
While the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision limited the reach of federal judges, it did not rule on whether Trump’s order was constitutional. The policy was scheduled to take effect on July 27.
(Inputs from BBC)
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