Court Orders a Ban on Execution of Birthright Citizenship Decree by Federal Government
In a significant legal development, U.S. District Judge Joseph LaPlante has issued a preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship from being enforced anywhere in the United States [2][3]. The ruling, which was announced on July 10, 2025, comes after an hour-long hearing and centers on a recently-issued executive order stating that President Trump has the executive authority to deny citizenship to children born to women who are in the United States without legal status.
The lawsuit, a class-action challenge, includes lead plaintiffs such as a pregnant woman, two parents, and their infant children, who argue that an order restricting who is entitled to birthright citizenship could pose an imminent threat to their children's legal status in the United States. The plaintiffs maintain that the relevant section of the 14th Amendment specifically states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."
This preliminary injunction follows a complex legal landscape. On June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court, in Trump v. Casa, stayed nationwide injunctions that were blocking the order, apparently allowing the order’s enforcement beyond the immediate litigants in that case [1]. However, shortly after, advocacy groups including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others successfully challenged the order again in federal court in New Hampshire, which reinstated a nationwide block and safeguards for all children affected by the order [3][4].
As a result, President Trump's Executive Order 14160 on birthright citizenship remains blocked nationwide by Judge LaPlante's injunction as of mid-July 2025 [2][3]. The legal challenges are ongoing, and the executive order's future enforcement remains uncertain.
Cody Wofsy, an ACLU attorney, described the ruling as a victory that will help protect the citizenship of all children born in the United States. In his Thursday decision, Judge LaPlante deemed the potential deprivation of citizenship as meeting every criterion for irreparable harm, certifying a nationwide class-action lawsuit and issuing a temporary injunction preventing the order from going into effect [2][3].
LaPlante referred to citizenship as "the greatest privilege that exists in the world," emphasizing that the decision was "not a close call." The Associated Press notes that LaPlante's decision will pause Trump's birthright citizenship order nationwide. The current legal status of the executive order suggests that it may return to the Supreme Court, as LaPlante's decision could have significant implications for the interpretation of the 14th Amendment and the role of executive orders in shaping citizenship policies.
References: [1] Federal judge issues new nationwide block against Trump's order seeking to end birthright citizenship. (2025, July 10). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/10/politics/trump-birthright-citizenship-court/index.html [2] Judge Blocks Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order in Class-Action Challenge. (2025, July 10). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/us/politics/trump-birthright-citizenship-order-court.html [3] New Hampshire judge pauses Trump's birthright citizenship order nationwide via class action lawsuit. (2025, July 10). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-blocks-trump-birthright-citizenship-order-nationwide-2025-07-10/ [4] Trump v. Casa. (2025, June 27). Retrieved from https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1215_b11f.pdf
- This ongoing legal battle is a matter of policy-and-legislation, as it involves the interpretation of the 14th Amendment, the role of executive orders, and the rights of citizenship in the United States.
- The recent preliminary injunction issued by Judge Joseph LaPlante against President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship is a significant development in the politics and general news of the country, particularly as it pertains to immigration and civil rights.
