Wed Jan 29 03:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Attempt to End Birthright Citizenship

**Seattle, WA –** A U.S. District judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to end birthright citizenship in the United States. Judge John Coughenour called the order “blatantly unconstitutional” in a ruling that has sent shockwaves through the legal and political landscape.

Trump’s executive order aimed to reinterpret the 14th Amendment, arguing that birthright citizenship, as guaranteed by the amendment, does not apply to children born in the U.S. to undocumented or temporarily residing parents. The administration’s interpretation hinged on a narrow reading of the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” claiming it excludes children of non-citizens. However, this interpretation directly contradicts legal precedent set in the 1898 *United States v. Wong Kim Ark* case.

Judge Coughenour, during a hearing, expressed disbelief at the Justice Department’s defense of the executive order, questioning how such a claim could be made. The temporary restraining order follows a legal challenge brought by four states.

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. This principle, known as *jus soli* (right of the soil), is shared by many countries. The Trump administration’s action would affect millions of children born to undocumented immigrants, temporary visa holders, and those in mixed-status families, potentially denying them access to vital government programs.

While the judge’s ruling is a major setback for the Trump administration, the president could still pursue a constitutional amendment to overturn birthright citizenship. Further legal challenges are expected, with the ultimate resolution likely to rest with the U.S. Supreme Court. The ongoing legal battle highlights the significant political and social implications of this controversial issue.

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