Appeals court blocks Trump from ending birthright citizenship
- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined the Trump administration's emergency request regarding birthright citizenship.
- Four judges have blocked Trump’s order, questioning its constitutional validity.
- This case could escalate further to the Supreme Court, reflecting ongoing debates over immigration rights.
In the United States, on February 19, 2025, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against an emergency request from the Trump administration regarding a controversial executive order aimed at terminating birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants. This executive order sought to redefine the scope of the 14th Amendment, which has long established that anyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen, regardless of their parents' immigration status. The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by multiple states in Washington and is part of a series of legal setbacks faced by the Trump administration, which has seen four judges block the implementation of this policy. In a concurring opinion, Judge Danielle Forrest remarked on the lack of a strong argument for the appeal's potential success, emphasizing that the circumstances did not constitute an emergency. This decision represents a significant development in an ongoing legal challenge that reflects broader national debates regarding immigration policies and citizenship rights. With full arguments expected in June, the case could potentially escalate to the Supreme Court, highlighting the contentious battle over the interpretation of constitutional rights.