Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Citizenship Order Across Nationwide

A federal judge in Maryland has ruled against President Trump's order to deny citizenship to children born to those in the US illegally or temporarily. This decision, the fourth of its kind, aligns with a Supreme Court ruling which challenges nationwide injunctions but permits class-action suits.

A Maryland federal judge, late on Thursday, ruled that children born to immigrants living in the US temporarily or illegally cannot be denied citizenship. This order marks the fourth nationwide decision against President Trump's controversial birthright citizenship policy since a crucial June ruling by the US Supreme Court.

The preliminary injunction, delivered by US District Judge Deborah Boardman, followed the case being returned to her by the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals in July. Thus far, several district courts and an appellate panel have blocked the contentious order.

While the Supreme Court ruled in June against nationwide injunctions, it left room for court orders with nationwide effects in class-action lawsuits. Boardman certified a class covering children born or to be born post-February 2025, citing likely harm and constitutional violations in Trump's order.