Civil liberties group challenges latest Trump attempt to limit birthright citizenship
The ACLU and other advocacy groups have requested a federal judge to block Donald Trump's new executive orders that restrict birthright citizenship. They argue the orders are an attempt to evade the Supreme Court's earlier ruling against the president. The legal challenge seeks to prevent enforcement of the controversial policy.
The request was submitted to the federal court in Concord, New Hampshire, asking the judge to confirm that the latest directives do not impact children already safeguarded by an earlier injunction. The ACLU's deputy director of immigrants' rights stated that the constitutional guarantee of citizenship cannot be overridden by executive orders.
The 6 August orders expand the categories of children who would not automatically receive citizenship, with a specific focus on individuals traveling to the US to give birth. This follows the Supreme Court's 30 June ruling that the president's initial, broader measure violated the 14th Amendment. Established exceptions to the citizenship clause include children of diplomats, occupying forces, and Indigenous Americans.
If the new orders are enforced, children born to undocumented immigrants or temporary residents could face uncertain legal status, potentially affecting their access to education, healthcare, and future legal protections. The ongoing litigation may create prolonged instability for immigrant families. Furthermore, the court's clarification could either reinforce the earlier injunction or open new pathways for restricting citizenship, shaping the broader balance of executive power versus constitutional rights.