A Reagan-appointed federal judge rebukes President Trump's attempt to restrict birthright citizenship through an executive order.
According to The Hill, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour has indefinitely blocked Trump's executive order that would limit birthright citizenship for children born to parents without permanent legal status in the United States.
The ruling came after less than 20 minutes of arguments during a Thursday hearing where Judge Coughenour emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law. His decision grants a nationwide preliminary injunction requested by four Democratic state attorneys general and private plaintiffs.
During the hearing, Judge Coughenour delivered a sharp critique of the administration's attempts to circumvent constitutional processes. Drawing from his experience in the former Soviet Union, he stressed the crucial role of legal professionals in protecting democratic principles.
The judge shared his perspective on the matter, stating:
It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain.
The Trump administration's legal team, represented by Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign, contested the interpretation of the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause. They argued that the plaintiffs' understanding of the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" was incorrect.
The executive order, signed on Trump's first day in office, is part of a broader series of immigration policy changes implemented by his administration. Nine lawsuits have been filed challenging the order's constitutionality.
A federal judge in Maryland issued a similar injunction on Wednesday, adding to the legal obstacles facing the administration's immigration agenda. Additional hearings are scheduled in Boston on Friday and Concord, N.H., on Monday.
Judge Coughenour expressed his position on the constitutional aspects of the case, declaring:
The Constitution is not something with which the government may play policy games. If the government wants to change the exceptional American grant of birthright citizenship, it needs to amend the Constitution itself.
Both injunctions will remain in effect indefinitely until the cases are fully resolved on their merits. The rulings represent significant setbacks for the administration's immigration policy goals.
The cases center on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment's birthright citizenship guarantee, which has historically included only narrow exceptions according to Supreme Court precedent. Legal experts note that changing birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment rather than an executive order.
These developments suggest a prolonged legal battle ahead as courts examine the constitutional implications of restricting birthright citizenship through executive action.
President Trump's executive order to restrict birthright citizenship for children of non-permanent residents faces multiple legal challenges across the country. Two federal judges have now blocked the order indefinitely, with Judge Coughenour in particular emphasizing the need to protect constitutional principles through proper legal channels rather than executive action. The administration must now navigate a complex legal landscape as additional hearings in Boston and Concord approach, while the fundamental question of presidential authority to modify birthright citizenship through executive order remains at the center of this constitutional debate.
