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| Donald Trump |
WASHINGTON, D.C
A federal judge in New Hampshire blocked United States President Donald Trump's attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship for undocumented immigrants and foreign visitors, through an executive order, dealing a significant blow to his long-standing fight to reinterpret the Fourteenth Amendment of birthright citizenship which has been guaranteed since 1868.
The ruling paves the way for a class-action lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of families affected by the policy change.
Trump's administration which immediately announced plans to appeal, called the decision a “abuse of class certification.”
The case gains significance following recent Supreme Court actions that restricted blanket injunctions while preserving class-action avenues. If upheld, the ruling could permanently protect birthright citizenship from executive interference.
Concerned civil rights groups celebrated the decision, while immigration hardliners vowed to continue the fight.
The Department of Justice has 30 days to file its appeal, according to law.