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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.

The policy represents a dramatic reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.”

States’ Legal Challenge

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who led the lawsuit, argued that the executive order directly contradicts established constitutional law and would cause immediate harm to families in the plaintiff states.

“This executive order is an affront to the Constitution and the principles of equal rights enshrined in it,” Ferguson said in a statement. “The 14th Amendment is not up for reinterpretation based on political whims.”

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the states would continue to fight for the rights of all children born in the United States.

What’s Next

The temporary restraining order blocks the enforcement of Trump’s order while the case proceeds. Legal experts anticipate a prolonged battle over the executive order, with its ultimate fate likely to be decided by higher courts, potentially the U.S. Supreme Court.

For now, the ruling ensures that birthright citizenship remains unchanged, offering relief to families and immigration advocates concerned about the executive order's impact.