A federal judge in Seattle has issued a nationwide temporary restraining order to halt President Trump’s policy to end birthright citizenship. The judge called the order “blatantly unconstitutional,” echoing other states’ attorneys general who have filed a separate lawsuit against the policy. The ruling is the first major step in what is expected to be a long legal battle over the issue of whether children of immigrants unlawfully living in the U.S. are American citizens. The decision has been lauded by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Colorado’s Phil Weiser, who argue that birthright citizenship is a fundamental principle of the U.S. and enshrined in the Constitution. On the other side of the argument, some believe that birthright citizenship is a misinterpretation of the Citizenship Clause and has no basis in the Constitution. Trump’s executive order aims to redefine birthright citizenship by excluding certain individuals from automatic citizenship, such as those born to parents who are not U.S. citizens or lawful residents. The case is part of a series of lawsuits across the country challenging the executive order, setting the stage for a legal battle that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court. The order is one of many executive actions taken by Trump, including measures to crack down on illegal immigration. As the legal battle continues, the future of birthright citizenship remains uncertain.
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