President Donald Trump’s bold effort to end birthright citizenship has just suffered a major blow in federal court — setting up what could become a defining constitutional battle at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Liberal Judges Strike Down Trump’s Citizenship Order
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled Friday that President Trump’s executive order — which sought to deny automatic citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants — violates the 14th Amendment.
The three-judge panel claimed the policy “contradicts long-standing constitutional principles.”
Chief Judge David Barron, an Obama-era appointee, wrote that the issue was “not a difficult one,” arguing that the administration had “no authority” to reinterpret the Constitution’s Citizenship Clause.
Trump’s legal team immediately vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a showdown that could decide how citizenship is defined for generations to come.
Trump’s Executive Order: A Key Part of His Immigration Crackdown
On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order ending automatic citizenship for children born on U.S. soil unless at least one parent is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The move was part of his broader America First immigration agenda, designed to close loopholes that encourage illegal crossings and “birth tourism.”
Administration officials said the goal was simple — restore fairness and integrity to U.S. citizenship laws and stop liberal politicians from exploiting outdated interpretations of the 14th Amendment.
Democrat States Sue to Block the Policy
Eighteen Democrat-led states and Washington, D.C. immediately filed lawsuits to stop the order, claiming it would “create chaos” and “confusion.”
A lower court judge in Boston — also appointed by Democrats — sided with the plaintiffs, ruling that Trump’s order could lead to “patchwork citizenship” between states.
This case follows a similar ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, where liberal judges also blocked the measure earlier this year.
Trump Allies: The Fight Isn’t Over
Trump supporters say this ruling only strengthens the case for reform. Many constitutional scholars argue that the framers of the 14th Amendment never intended to grant citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants — a view long supported by conservatives.
“This isn’t the end of the fight,” one senior administration official told reporters. “President Trump will take this all the way to the Supreme Court. The American people deserve a government that protects the meaning of citizenship.”
What Comes Next
The Justice Department is preparing an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, where constitutional experts say Trump may finally get a fair hearing.
With a more conservative bench, the case could reshape U.S. immigration policy and redefine what it truly means to be an American citizen.