Major relief for Indian visa holders, US court blocks Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship
PTC Web Desk: In a significant relief for Indian students and professionals residing in the United States on temporary visas, a federal judge in Seattle has indefinitely blocked former President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. The ruling marks another major legal setback for Trump's immigration policies, which have faced scrutiny in multiple courts.
US District Judge John Coughenour issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, preventing the enforcement of Trump's directive. The judge strongly criticised the administration, stating that the Constitution is not a tool for policy experiments.
“It has become ever more apparent that, to our former president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals," Judge Coughenour said during a Thursday hearing, as reported by CNN. He emphasised that the US government cannot alter the birthright citizenship clause through an executive order but must amend the Constitution if changes are to be made.
This ruling follows a similar legal blow in Maryland, where US District Judge Deborah Boardman also blocked the order, reinforcing the constitutional protection of citizenship rights.
With both rulings applying nationwide, Trump's order will remain blocked while the case proceeds through the courts. The Justice Department has already announced plans to appeal the decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a left-leaning court. Experts believe the case could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where a final verdict may be decided.
Trump’s order, signed shortly after his second term began on January 20, sought to deny U.S. citizenship to children born on American soil unless at least one parent was a U.S. citizen or a green card holder. This directive raised serious concerns for Indian nationals on temporary visas, including those on: H-1B (Work Visa), L (Intra-Company Transfer Visa), H-4 (Dependent Visa) and F (Student Visa)
Under Trump’s order, children born in the U.S. to parents holding temporary visas would not automatically receive citizenship, significantly impacting their legal status, education, and financial opportunities.
- With inputs from agencies
