States Challenge the Order
Four States – Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon petitioned the district court to block the order while it reviews their challenge. In response, the judge called the executive order “blatantly unconstitutional.”
Context on Birthright Citizenship
Birthright citizenship, which grants automatic citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, was added to the Constitution in 1868 after the Civil War. The addition was meant to address the citizenship status of freed, American-born slaves.
Trump’s Response
Following the ruling, President Trump announced that he would “obviously” appeal the decision.
