A Washington federal judge has temporarily halted the enforcement of President Donald Trump’s recent executive order limiting birthright citizenship, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.” The decision was issued Thursday during a hearing in Seattle federal court, where four states argued against the order.
U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour granted a temporary restraining order sought by Washington, Illinois, Arizona, and Oregon, which had filed a lawsuit challenging the executive order as a violation of the 14th Amendment.
A Strong Rebuke from the Bench
Judge Coughenour, known for his long tenure on the bench, expressed sharp criticism of the executive order, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.”
“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, and I can’t remember another case where the question presented was this clear,” Judge Coughenour said. “This is a blatantly unconstitutional order. Where were the lawyers when this decision was being made?”
The Controversial Executive Order
Trump’s executive order, signed shortly after he assumed office on Monday, sought to redefine birthright citizenship. The order would deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born in the United States if their mother is unlawfully present or temporarily in the country, unless the father is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
