In a major legal twist this Friday, a Boston appeals court blocked President Trump's controversial executive order that aimed to strip birthright citizenship from U.S.-born children of noncitizen parents ⚖️🇺🇸
A three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld injunctions won by Democratic-led states and immigrant rights advocates, keeping the order frozen nationwide.
The order – signed on January 20 – would have directed agencies to refuse citizenship to kids born on U.S. soil unless at least one parent is an American citizen or green card holder. But Judge David Barron, writing for the court, said it flatly violates the 14th Amendment's guarantee that anyone born in the United States is a citizen.
"It is not [a difficult question]," Barron wrote in a pointed 100-page opinion, noting it's been over a century since any branch of government tried such a bold move to deny Americans their birthright.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson argued the court misinterpreted the Constitution and expressed confidence the case will be "vindicated by the Supreme Court." The administration has already asked the high court to hear appeals from both the 1st and 9th Circuit rulings.
This marks the second time an appeals court – after the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit in July – has blocked the order nationwide. With the Supreme Court's conservative majority having limited universal injunctions in June, all eyes are now on whether the justices will weigh in directly on the birthright citizenship debate.
For now, the ruling ensures the 14th Amendment remains a bedrock safeguard, reminding everyone that birthright citizenship is more than policy – it's part of the American promise 🇺🇸✨
Reference(s):
Second U.S. appeals court blocks Trump order on birthright citizenship
cgtn.com
