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US, judge blocks Trump order to deny citizenship to children of US-born immigrants

The decision not to grant birthright citizenship has been suspended for a fortnight. Trump reacts immediately: ‘Appeal immediately’

In the United States, a federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at denying US citizenship to the children of undocumented immigrants and mothers in temporary residence. The measure, called unconstitutional by Judge John C. Coughenour of Seattle, would have affected about 150,000 children born in the country each year.

The 14th Amendment of the Constitution has guaranteed citizenship to those born on American soil for over 150 years, a rule that the presidential order would have sought to circumvent. ‘I don’t recall a case where the issue has been so clear,’ the judge said, suspending the measure for at least two weeks.

Trump ready to counter-attack

President Trump promised battle, announcing an immediate appeal and attacking the judge: ‘They brought the matter before a certain judge in Seattle, it’s no surprise’. Meanwhile, the Justice Department reiterated its commitment to upholding the executive order.

A long legal battle on the horizon

The judge’s decision is only the beginning of a complex legal challenge. In addition to the appeal filed by four states, another federal lawsuit is pending in Massachusetts, involving 18 states and two cities.

Meanwhile, Trump’s move triggered criticism from Democrats, who called the measure a violation of fundamental rights. The citizenship battle, at this point, looks set to occupy the American political and judicial scene for a long time.

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