In yet another legal defeat for U.S. President Donald Trump, a federal appeals court on Tuesday refused to lift an injunction blocking his executive order targeting birthright citizenship. This marks the third consecutive appellate loss for the administration, as judges continue to rule against the controversial measure.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Boston, rejected the administration’s request to pause a nationwide injunction issued by a Massachusetts federal judge. The ruling aligns with previous decisions from the 4th and 9th Circuit Courts, reinforcing a legal consensus that Trump’s order is unconstitutional.
Signed on his first day back in office, Trump’s order seeks to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. if neither parent is a citizen or legal permanent resident. The measure, initially set to take effect on February 19, has been repeatedly blocked by federal courts at the request of immigrant rights groups and Democratic state attorneys general.
The lawsuits, filed in Boston, were brought by multiple states, the city of San Francisco, and advocacy organizations. The legal challenges argue that Trump’s directive violates the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to nearly all individuals born on U.S. soil. Judges have consistently referenced an 1898 Supreme Court ruling affirming birthright citizenship, undermining the administration’s position.
Chief U.S. Circuit Judge David Barron, writing for the panel, criticized the Trump administration for failing to provide a “developed argument” supporting the constitutionality of the order. He also noted that the government had not disputed the long-established recognition of citizenship for those affected by the policy.
With multiple appellate courts standing firm against the order, the legal battle appears destined for the U.S. Supreme Court, where the administration hopes to overturn decades of legal precedent. For now, Trump’s effort to redefine birthright citizenship remains stalled in the courts.
