A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to restrict birthright citizenship in the United States. This decision comes after the Supreme Court’s ruling on June 30, 2026, which upheld the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing citizenship to children born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman in Maryland blocked Trump’s August 6, 2026, executive order, finding it likely unconstitutional in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision. The new order aimed to deny automatic citizenship in specific cases, including children of parents deemed ‘alien enemies’ or involved in ‘birth tourism.’ Boardman stated, ‘No presidential executive order can undo what the Supreme Court has done.’
The Trump administration argued that the new order was narrower than its predecessor and that legal challenges were premature since federal agencies had not yet provided detailed guidance. However, Judge Boardman dismissed this reasoning, emphasizing that the Supreme Court had already addressed the central issue for the children involved in ongoing litigation.
Plaintiffs in the case argued that the language of the executive order was so broad it could create uncertainties for families over routine activities, such as purchasing airline tickets. They contended that the order’s scope could affect more than just undocumented immigrants, potentially extending its reach to temporary visitors and others.
Following the ruling, the White House criticized Judge Boardman, labeling her an ‘activist judge’ and insisting that the executive order aligned with the Supreme Court’s decision. Despite these criticisms, the injunction remains in place, halting the implementation of the order pending further legal review.
