A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the implementation of United States of America President Donald Trump’s executive order targeted at restricting birthright citizenship in the United States.
The ruling indefinitely halts one of Trump’s controversial policies, which was set to take effect nationwide on February 19.
According to The New York Times, District Judge Deborah Boardman stated that denying birthright citizenship would cause irreparable harm.
Judge Boardman emphasized that Trump’s order conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the country.
“The denial of the precious right to citizenship will cause irreparable harm.
“No court in the country has ever endorsed the president’s interpretation,” Boardman said, adding “This court will not be the first,” as reported by The New York Times.
The latest ruling follows a similar decision by a federal judge in Washington state, who issued a 14-day stay on the order in January.
Recall that Judge John Coughenour described the measure as “blatantly unconstitutional,” prompting Trump to announce his intention to appeal.
The legal challenge centres on the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, which grants citizenship to all individuals born in the United States.
Media Talk Africa reports that Trump’s executive order put forward the argument that those in the country illegally or on temporary visas were not subject to US jurisdiction and therefore not entitled to citizenship.
