Seattle, Jan. 24 – A federal judge in Seattle issued a temporary restraining order halting the enforcement of an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump on his first day in office, which sought to end automatic birthright citizenship in the United States. U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, responding to lawsuits from four Democratic-led states, deemed the order “blatantly unconstitutional,” citing the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause.
The order, which aimed to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents who are neither citizens nor legal permanent residents, would have affected over 150,000 newborns annually. It also sought to bar such children from Social Security numbers, government benefits, and lawful employment.
During a hearing, Washington Assistant Attorney General Lane Polozola argued on behalf of attorneys general from Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon that the order violated Supreme Court precedent and constitutional protections established over a century ago.
The Justice Department defended the measure, claiming it addressed immigration issues but argued that the states lack standing to challenge the policy. Meanwhile, 36 Republican lawmakers introduced related legislation in Congress to restrict birthright citizenship.
Judge Coughenour, a Reagan appointee, is expected to provide a written ruling. The order has sparked widespread lawsuits, with civil rights groups and 22 Democratic-led states challenging its legality. This case advances rapidly in Seattle, potentially setting a precedent amid ongoing legal battles over the executive order.
