Judge Blocks Trump's Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship

<p>U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman issued a preliminary injunction against President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at limiting birthright citizenship. The ruling, delivered on September 3, 2026, temporarily halts the order that was issued on August 6, following a Supreme Court ruling that affirmed birthright citizenship in the case of Barbara v. Trump.</p><p>Boardman's 35-page ruling states that the executive order is likely unconstitutional as it applies to a specific class of children, as the Supreme Court previously determined that these children are citizens at birth. This injunction is the first to stop Trump's revised order since the Supreme Court's decision in June.</p><p>Trump's executive order sought to restrict birthright citizenship for children of parents classified as alien enemies, including members of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and for children whose foreign parents utilized surrogacy in the U.S. The order prompted a lawsuit from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).</p><p>In her ruling, Boardman noted that the Trump administration's broad definition of who qualifies as an enemy raised concerns. She cited examples of plaintiffs, including a woman from Mexico with ties to a cartel and a Venezuelan woman fearing wrongful association with a criminal group.</p><p>Boardman emphasized that children whose parents are labeled as alien enemies face a credible threat of being denied birthright citizenship, despite not falling under recognized exceptions. She referenced the potential for irreparable harm, stating that the loss of citizenship could have lasting negative effects on children and their families.</p><p>The White House responded to the ruling by labeling Boardman an 'activist judge' and asserting that the executive order aligns with Supreme Court rulings. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis stated that the order is consistent with the Court's previous analysis.</p><p>Abhi Kambli, a former Justice Department official, criticized Boardman's ruling, arguing that it speculated on potential misapplications of the executive order without demonstrating its unlawfulness in all scenarios.</p><p>Monica, one of the plaintiffs, expressed relief over the injunction, stating that it protects her child and others from the threat of being born stateless. Shana Khader, legal director at We Are CASA, also commented on the ruling, emphasizing the ongoing fight for the constitutional rights of children born in the U.S.</p>