BOSTON (AP) — In a landmark decision on Friday, a federal appeals court in Boston ruled that the Trump administration cannot withhold citizenship from children born to undocumented immigrants. This ruling adds to the growing list of legal challenges faced by the administration regarding the controversial birthright citizenship order.
A three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the plaintiffs had a strong likelihood of success in their claims that such children are entitled to citizenship under the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment. This ruling follows several other federal courts that have blocked the president's birthright order since June.
The appeals court reaffirmed a legal principle that recognizes birthright citizenship, asserting, The ‘lessons of history’ thus give us every reason to be wary of now blessing this most recent effort to break with our established tradition of recognizing birthright citizenship... This statement emphasizes that citizenship should be conferred upon birth, independent of a parent’s immigration status.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, an advocate against the executive order, expressed gratitude for the court's decision, emphasizing that it safeguards fundamental rights protected by the Constitution. The court's ruling continues a trend of blocking the birthright order, with earlier rulings from federal judges in Boston and Maryland prohibiting its implementation nationwide.
The Trump administration contends that the 14th Amendment's language allows for interpretations that deny citizenship based on parental status. This dispute is expected to escalate to the Supreme Court, potentially culminating in a definitive ruling regarding the president's authority over citizenship regulations.
The legal battles surrounding the birthright citizenship order reflect broader tensions in U.S. immigration policy and constitutional interpretation, with key legal principles regarding citizenship being challenged at the highest levels.
