Trump’s birthright citizenship order struck down by appeals court

The ruling blocks any efforts to end birthright citizenship, affirming constitutional protections.

Appeals court rules Trump’s birthright citizenship order is unconstitutional

A federal appeals court in San Francisco has ruled that President Donald Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional. This decision supports a previous lower court ruling and prevents the enforcement of the order nationwide. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that denying citizenship to children born to non-citizens violates the Constitution. The ruling was a response to a lawsuit brought by several states including Washington and Arizona, which argued that a nationwide block was necessary to prevent legal confusion. Dissenting Judge Patrick Bumatay raised concerns over the states' standing to sue but did not comment on the constitutional implications of the order itself.

This ruling stands as a significant block against efforts to amend birthright citizenship, a cornerstone of American immigration policy. The court reaffirmed the concept embedded in the 14th Amendment that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen. Such court decisions can reshape how immigration laws are viewed and enforced in the United States. The implications reach beyond the courtroom, stirring national discussions about citizenship and the rights of those born in the country to parents without legal status. The ruling's emphasis on constitutional interpretation versus political expediency raises larger questions about the balance of power within immigration policy.

Highlights

The ruling may fuel further legal challenges and discussions on immigration rights and policy.