President Donald Trump has made an emergency request to the Supreme Court, seeking permission to implement restrictions on birthright citizenship while legal challenges to his executive order are ongoing. Multiple judges have blocked the order, labeling it as “blatantly unconstitutional,” and appeals courts have upheld these holds. The Justice Department has urged the Supreme Court to allow the administration to develop guidance on implementing Trump’s directive if it stands.
Trump argues that ending automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents is crucial for border security. However, opponents, including Democratic state attorneys general and immigrant rights advocates, point to the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to all children born in the U.S. regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
The Trump administration contends that the 14th Amendment was meant for former slaves and does not extend to children of unauthorized immigrants. The Justice Department argues that the injunctions against Trump’s policy are overly broad and should not apply nationwide.
Recently, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied Trump’s request to lift the hold on his order, setting an expedited hearing in June. Judge Danielle Forest, appointed by Trump, emphasized the need for a thorough legal process in cases of significant policy changes. Appeals courts in Boston and Richmond also rejected the administration’s bid to narrow the holds on the executive order.
