Judge Questions Narrowing Block on Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

A federal judge in Boston is reviewing whether to maintain a block on President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order following a Supreme Court ruling that limits judges’ authority to issue nationwide injunctions.

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, who had previously halted Trump’s order, spent over an hour in court Friday questioning both Trump administration lawyers and attorneys representing Democratic-led states. The key issue: whether his nationwide injunction remains valid or must be narrowed to meet new Supreme Court standards.

Trump’s order, signed January 20, declares the federal government will not issue citizenship documents to children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily.

The Supreme Court ruled on June 27 that the administration cannot enforce the order for 30 days while guidance is developed, but also instructed lower courts to reevaluate broad injunctions like Sorokin’s.

During Friday’s hearing, DOJ attorney Eric Hamilton suggested an alternative approach: allowing the policy to stand while ensuring affected children can still enroll in federal benefit programs, with the government reimbursing states for those costs.

Judge Sorokin pushed back, questioning whether such a system would be workable or enforceable. “How do I know you can comply?” Sorokin asked Hamilton.

Representing New Jersey, attorney Shankar Duraiswamy argued against narrowing the injunction, warning that it could place added administrative burdens on states and lead to population shifts that increase state costs.

“Half measures are not warranted when enjoining a fragrantly unconstitutional executive action,” Duraiswamy said.

The judge has not yet issued a final ruling on whether his nationwide block will be modified.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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