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A third federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
The ruling from U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante in New Hampshire follows similar rulings from judges in Washington state and Maryland.
Trump’s executive order is seeking to clarify the 14th Amendment, which states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
Trump’s order essentially withholds citizenship for the American-born children of illegal immigrants. Critics contend that Trump exceeded his authority.
The lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on the day of Trump’s inauguration said “Birthright citizenship embodies America’s most fundamental promise: that all children born on our soil begin life as full and equal members of our national community, regardless of their parents’ origins, status, or circumstances” and that “This principle has enabled generations of children to pursue their dreams and build a stronger America.”
It asked the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire to “Declare that the Executive Order is unconstitutional and unlawful in its entirety.
“After careful consideration of the parties’ submissions, the supporting declarations, the applicable law, and the filings and record in this case, the court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction,” Laplante, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, wrote in his ruling.
“The court hereby finds that Plaintiffs have demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of their claims; that Plaintiffs are likely to suffer irreparable harm if the order is not granted; that the potential harm to the Plaintiffs if the order is not granted outweighs the potential harm to Defendants if the order is granted; and that the issuance of this order is in the public interest,” he added.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom, Louis Casiano and David Spunt contributed to this report.