Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order for Newborns of Illegal Immigrants

A federal judge in New Hampshire has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants. 

The decision, delivered Thursday by U.S. District Judge Joseph LaPlante, represents a major setback to one of the administration’s central second-term immigration priorities.

The order, which was scheduled to take effect July 27, sought to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to infants born on American soil unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. 

Immigration groups and Democratic-led states quickly challenged the policy, arguing it violated long-established interpretations of the 14th Amendment.

In granting a nationwide injunction, LaPlante also certified the case as a class action—but limited that class to newborns directly affected by the policy. 

He emphasized that the harm of revoking citizenship was too great to allow enforcement to proceed.

“The preliminary injunction is just not a close call to the court,” LaPlante said during the hearing, according to The Post Millennial. “The deprivation of U.S. citizenship and an abrupt change of policy that was longstanding… that’s irreparable harm.” 

He added, “U.S. citizenship is the greatest privilege that exists in the world.”

The ruling follows a recent 6–3 Supreme Court decision that narrowed the authority of lower courts to impose nationwide injunctions unless plaintiffs qualify as a class. 

That decision prompted advocacy organizations to refile legal challenges in jurisdictions viewed as more receptive, including New Hampshire.

Trump’s executive order was one of several policy actions intended to reshape immigration law through executive authority. 

The administration has argued that the Constitution has been misread for decades, asserting that birthright citizenship was never intended to apply to the children of those residing in the country unlawfully.

The Department of Justice is expected to challenge the ruling.

Officials had planned to begin issuing guidance and enforcement instructions under a 30-day procedural stay granted by the Supreme Court, but those preparations have been placed on hold pending appeal.

Supporters of the executive order contend that the litigation is far from over and expect the matter to ultimately reach the Supreme Court. 

They argue that clarifying the intent of the 14th Amendment is long overdue and that the order is a necessary step toward restoring control over the country’s immigration system.

Opponents, however, view the policy as unconstitutional and warn it could have devastating effects on thousands of families. 

The American Civil Liberties Union and other legal organizations have launched similar lawsuits in California and Maryland, aiming to further restrict enforcement nationwide, Fox News reports.

Though the ruling is temporary, it carries significant legal and political weight. 

If upheld, it would mark a major turning point in how the United States defines citizenship. 

If overturned, it could empower the executive branch to move forward with sweeping immigration reforms without congressional approval.

For now, the case sets the stage for what many expect to be a high-profile legal battle, one that could determine the boundaries of presidential power and the meaning of citizenship under the Constitution.

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