A federal judge Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s recent executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants.
Trump signed the executive order earlier this week, and almost immediately a coalition of nearly two dozen states filed a series of lawsuits to block the order.
“The President’s executive order attempting to rescind birthright citizenship is blatantly unconstitutional and quite frankly, un-American,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, one of those who joined one of the suits.
U.S. District Judge John Coughenour issued the ruling, which blocks Trump’s order until a final ruling is made. Coughenour, who was appointed by then-President Ronald Reagan in 1981, blasted the ruling as unconstitutional, though.
The order could make it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In question is the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees birthright citizenship.
As The Center Square previously reported, supporters of Trump’s order argue the 14th Amendment has been twisted and was meant to apply to recently freed slaves and American citizens, not illegal immigrants who they say are taking advantage of the system.
Backers of Trump’s order say the 14th amendment has been abused, pointing to tourists and illegal immigrants who come to the U.S. explicitly to have children.
“The Framers of the 14th Amendment would be appalled at how abused the notion of ‘birthright citizenship’ is today,” U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said in a statement. “The privilege of United States citizenship is a priceless and profound gift. It should not be granted to those who abuse our laws.”
