A federal judge in Maryland has issued a temporary restraining order against President Donald Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship for children of stateless illegal immigrants and temporary visa holders. Judge Deborah L. Boardman’s decision to block the order came shortly after a hearing Wednesday on a petition filed by civil rights groups. The order would apply nationally.
The lawsuit filed in Maryland is one of at least six federal lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s executive order, joined by 22 Democratic-led states and civil rights organizations, Xinhua and The Washington Post reported.
President Trump signed an act to end birthright citizenship on January 20, just hours after his inauguration. The order prevents the recognition of citizenship for children whose parents are not US citizens or permanent residents and who are born after February 19.
The Trump executive order on citizenship under Article 14 Amendment is based on the premise that the amendment excludes birthright citizenship for those who are not subject to the citizenship law. At least 22 states and several civil rights groups have challenged the order as unconstitutional.
