US Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

Indian students and professionals in the United States, a federal judge in Seattle has issued an indefinite block on former US President Donald Trump’s executive order, which sought to end birthright citizenship. This order had been part of Trump’s broader efforts to impose stricter immigration laws, including attempts to restrict the rights of children born in the U.S. to foreign nationals, a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

US District Judge John Coughenour’s decision came after a legal challenge to the executive order, marking the second major setback for Trump’s immigration policies. In his ruling, Judge Coughenour emphasized that the U.S. Constitution should not be used as a tool for political maneuvering. He specifically criticized Trump’s attempt to alter birthright citizenship through executive action, stating that any change to such a fundamental constitutional provision would require a formal amendment to the Constitution, not just a presidential directive.

The judge’s remarks highlighted a significant concern regarding the balance of powers, stressing that the Constitution is not a flexible document that can be molded to suit the administration’s policy objectives. This stance reinforced the idea that birthright citizenship is a cornerstone of American law, and any attempt to undo it through executive fiat would violate established legal principles.

This ruling provides a major relief to the millions of children born in the U.S. to foreign nationals, including Indian students and professionals who are waiting for their green cards. The executive order, if implemented, could have disrupted the lives of many families, especially those whose children were born in the U.S. and were thus automatically granted citizenship. By blocking this order, the court has ensured that these children will continue to enjoy the protections and rights afforded to them under the U.S. Constitution.

The decision also follows a similar ruling in Maryland, where another federal judge ruled against Trump’s attempt to revoke birthright citizenship, signaling a broader resistance to the administration’s immigration agenda. With the matter now in the hands of the courts, the future of birthright citizenship remains secure for the time being, pending any future legislative or constitutional amendments.