A second U.S. appeals court has ruled against former President Donald Trump's executive order restricting birthright citizenship, marking another legal setback for the controversial immigration policy. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared the measure unconstitutional on Friday, reinforcing judicial resistance to efforts altering the interpretation of the 14th Amendment.
The 100-page ruling emphasized that the policy – which sought to deny citizenship to U.S.-born children of non-citizens without permanent residency – directly conflicts with constitutional guarantees. "It has been more than a century since a branch of our government has made as concerted an effort… to deny Americans their birthright," wrote Judge David Barron, highlighting the historical significance of the decision.
This follows a similar July ruling by the 9th Circuit Court in San Francisco, creating a unified judicial front ahead of an anticipated Supreme Court battle. The White House has signaled plans to appeal, framing the issue as a test of executive authority in immigration matters.
Legal analysts note the Supreme Court's recent 6-3 decision limiting nationwide injunctions against presidential policies adds complexity to the case. While lower courts continue blocking the order, its ultimate fate now hinges on whether the high court will revisit its stance on birthright citizenship – a cornerstone of U.S. immigration law since 1868.
