A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily blocked Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship in the US.
US District Court Judge John Coughenour called Trump’s executive order “blatantly unconstitutional” and issued a restraining order blocking it from going into force after a 25-minute hearing on Thursday.
Under a long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, nearly anyone born inside the US is automatically given citizenship.
Trump hopes to end that rule for children born to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily.
Four states – Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon – asked for the order to be paused while the federal court considers the states’ legal challenge.
During arguments, Judge Coughenour asked a Trump administration lawyer, “Where were the lawyers when the executive order was drafted by Trump’s team?” He then chastised him for claiming that the order is constitutional.
“It boggles my mind,” the judge said.
The executive order will be put on hold for 14 days pending further legal proceedings.
Trump, who has issued a range of unilateral actions since returning to the US presidency on Monday, has long vowed to make this particular change.
His executive order called on US government departments and agencies to deny the granting of citizenship to the children of migrants who are either in the US illegally or on temporary visas.
It would have applied to children born on 19 February and onwards, according to legal filings in the case by the Department of Justice (DoJ).
There have been reports that the administration planned to enforce the order by withholding documents, such as passports, from people it deemed ineligible for citizenship.
The judge’s order also put a temporary stop to any enforcement of the order by federal agencies.
