In a landmark ruling this Friday, a three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston delivered a setback to President Donald Trump’s bid to rescind birthright citizenship for children born on American soil.
The panel upheld nationwide injunctions originally issued by judges Leo Sorokin in Boston and Joseph Laplante in New Hampshire. They found that Trump’s January 20 executive order—directing federal agencies to deny citizenship to U.S.-born children without at least one citizen or lawful permanent resident parent—violates the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment.
U.S. Circuit Judge David Barron, joined by two peers appointed by Democratic presidents, wrote that the lengthy 100-page decision underscores how clear the constitutional guarantee is. “It has been more than a century since a branch of our government has made as concerted an effort as the Executive Branch now makes to deny Americans their birthright,” he noted.
This decision follows a similar 9th Circuit ruling from July, and sets the stage for a showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court. The administration has already asked the high court to review the case, promising an epic legal battle over one of America’s most fundamental rights.
For global citizens—especially immigrant families, young professionals, and digital nomads eyeing the U.S.—the appeals court’s ruling reaffirms the enduring reach of the 14th Amendment. As the legal saga unfolds in Washington, D.C., and beyond, the stakes are clear: citizenship by birth remains a cornerstone of the American promise, with ripple effects for communities worldwide.
Reference(s):
Second U.S. appeals court blocks Trump order on birthright citizenship
cgtn.com
