Judge John Coughenour’s ruling blocking President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship has significant implications for the administration’s immigration policies.
This preliminary injunction halts the executive order from taking effect and emphasizes that the Citizenship Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship, rejecting the government’s interpretation of “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”
Coughenour’s decision rests on the legal likelihood of success on the merits, potential irreparable harm to states, and the public interest.
He cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), which established the narrow qualifications for exceptions to birthright citizenship, notably excluding children of undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors.
This injunction follows another similar ruling from a federal judge in Maryland and reflects the strong opposition against the executive order, with multiple lawsuits across various states challenging its constitutionality.
These developments highlight ongoing legal battles that could shape the future of U.S. immigration policy.