Background on the Issue
The controversial executive order by President Trump aims to restrict birthright citizenship for children born in the United States if at least one parent is not a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident (green card holder). This move has sparked debates and legal challenges regarding its constitutionality.
Judicial Response and Timeline
In separate hearings on lawsuits challenging Trump’s order, U.S. District Judges Deborah Boardman in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Joseph LaPlante in Concord, New Hampshire, set accelerated timelines to decide if the order can be blocked again based on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling limiting judges’ ability to halt national policies.
Supreme Court’s Intervention
The U.S. Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, ruled in favor of the immigrant rights groups’ case and two others challenging Trump’s executive order on Friday. The ruling did not address the legality of Trump’s order but prevented judges from issuing nationwide injunctions to block the president’s policies.
Judges’ Requests to DOJ
During the hearings, both judges asked Brad Rosenberg, the attorney representing the U.S. Department of Justice, to assure that the Trump administration would not immediately deport children without at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident until the order takes effect.
Trump’s Lawyer’s Stance
Rosenberg declined to provide such assurance, and both judges requested written confirmation by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Immigrant Rights Groups’ Response
In Maryland, immigrant rights groups swiftly revised their lawsuit hours after the Supreme Court’s Friday ruling. William Powell, the attorney for these groups and pregnant non-citizen women, urged Judge Boardman for an immediate ruling to address the fears and concerns of immigrants following the Supreme Court’s decision.
Executive Order Details
Trump’s executive order, issued on his first day back in office (January 20), directs agencies to refuse recognition of U.S. citizenship for children born in the United States if at least one parent lacks U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency status (green card).
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of Trump’s executive order? The order aims to limit birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. if at least one parent is not a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.
- How did the Supreme Court rule on this issue? The Supreme Court’s decision did not address the legality of Trump’s order but prevented judges from issuing nationwide injunctions to block the president’s policies.
- What are immigrant rights groups doing in response? Immigrant rights groups have revised their lawsuits and are seeking immediate rulings to address the fears and concerns of immigrants following the Supreme Court’s decision.
- What is the current status of the executive order implementation? Trump’s lawyer, Brad Rosenberg, has not provided assurance that the administration will not immediately deport children without at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident until the order takes effect.
