Federal Court Strikes Down Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
In a major legal setback for the Trump administration, the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled Friday that the government cannot block citizenship rights for children born in the United States — even if their parents are in the country illegally or temporarily.
This marks the fifth federal court since June to issue or uphold an order blocking Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order.
The Court’s Ruling
The three-judge panel found that:
Plaintiffs are likely to succeed in proving that the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause protects children born in the U.S.
The order signed on Trump’s inauguration day, which barred automatic citizenship for certain children, violates constitutional protections.
The preliminary injunction issued by the lower court remains valid until litigation concludes.
The court wrote:
“The lessons of history give us every reason to be cautious not to approve this most recent attempt to break our established tradition of recognizing birthright citizenship … citizenship depends simply on being born in the United States, not on the actions of parents.”
California Attorney General’s Response
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose state joined nearly 20 others in challenging the order, welcomed the ruling.
Bonta stated:
“The President’s attack on birthright citizenship grossly violates the Fourteenth Amendment. A nationwide injunction is the only appropriate remedy to prevent its devastating consequences.”
He praised the judiciary for protecting fundamental constitutional rights.
Plaintiffs and Legal Backing
The lawsuit was backed by several organizations, including:
New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as legal representatives
On the same day, another appeals court issued a secondary ruling in favor of the plaintiffs, further solidifying opposition to the Trump administration’s attempt to restrict citizenship.
Why It Matters
✅ Reinforces the 14th Amendment protection of birthright citizenship
✅ Prevents discrimination against children born in the U.S.
✅ Establishes a strong precedent for immigration-related constitutional rights
Final Word
The federal appeals court’s decision is a significant victory for immigrant communities and constitutional rights advocates. By upholding birthright citizenship, the judiciary has reaffirmed one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy: citizenship by birthright remains protected under the U.S. Constitution.
