Synopsis
A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump's order to deny automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents with temporary visas or those who are undocumented. The ruling has significant implications for many families, especially among the Indian community on temporary visas.Key Takeaways
- Federal judge halts Trump's citizenship restriction.
- Order deemed unconstitutional by the court.
- Controversy affects families, especially Indians on temporary visas.
- 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all born in the U.S.
- Legal battles may extend for several years.
New York, Jan 24 (NationPress) A federal judge has issued a stay on US President Donald Trump's directive to prevent automatic citizenship for infants born to parents residing here illegally or with temporary visas.
Senior Judge John Coughenour characterized the order as blatantly unconstitutional during a hearing on Thursday, implementing a 14-day temporary suspension.
Trump announced plans to contest the ruling that restricts birthright citizenship to children of citizens and Green Card holders.
This was one of the initial executive orders he enacted after assuming the presidency, which has raised concerns among Indians, many of whom hold temporary visas such as H1-B for professionals and L1 for intracompany transferees, or are in the US for academic pursuits.
Children born after February 19 would have been denied automatic citizenship, referred to as birthright, under Trump's directive.
Trump's campaign focused on taking measures against illegal immigration, but he extended these citizenship limitations to individuals here legally as well.
The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution ensures citizenship to all persons born in the US, and their rights are not subject to restriction.
The Justice Department, supporting the order, claimed it is part of Trump's initiative to address the failing immigration system and the ongoing situation at the Southern border.
Judge Coughenour expressed disbelief that any attorney could view Trump's order as constitutional.
A coalition from Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon filed the petition in federal court in Seattle.
Similar lawsuits against the order are being pursued by other states and municipalities in different federal courts.
The law firm Reddy, Neumann, Brown, which specializes in immigration, indicated that resolution of the matter could take three to five years.
Passed in 1868, the 14th Amendment was enacted by Congress to counter a Supreme Court decision that denied citizenship to the offspring of freed African American slaves.
The attorneys representing the states in court documents accused Trump of attempting to enforce a modern version of the overturned racist ruling by the Supreme Court.
