Legal Battle Over Birthright Citizenship Intensifies
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has set its oral arguments for Friday, where it will review President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. This judicial scrutiny follows a critical Supreme Court ruling in June, which curbed the power of lower courts to impose broad injunctions. The order, signed on Trump’s first day in office, attempts to reinterpret the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to those born in the U.S. and subject to its jurisdiction.
The legal challenge now underway is part of a broader dispute over the administrative authority of the executive branch, as the Supreme Court’s decision to limit universal injunctions has shifted the responsibility to lower courts. A federal judge in New Hampshire recently issued a nationwide injunction blocking the order, certifying a class of infants born in the U.S. who would lose citizenship under the policy. Meanwhile, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has also ruled against the order, citing its potential for widespread constitutional harm.
The Trump administration has outlined detailed enforcement procedures, including new requirements for social security applications, but these measures remain on hold due to ongoing litigation. Despite the administration’s efforts, no court has yet ruled in favor of the executive order, and the First Circuit’s decision will likely influence the final outcome of this legal battle. With the stakes high, the case underscores the tension between executive authority and judicial oversight in defining the nation’s citizenship policies.