Birthright Citizenship Protected as Judge Halts Trump's Controversial Executive Order

A federal judge has temporarily stopped President Donald Trump's order to end birthright citizenship, saying it is clearly against the Constitution. The debated plan aimed to stop children born in the United States from automatically getting citizenship if their parents were living in the country without legal permission or were there temporarily.

Birthright citizenship means that anyone born in the U.S. is automatically a citizen, according to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. After the Civil War, the amendment was approved and changed the Dred Scott decision, which had said that enslaved people and their offspring were not citizens.

The blocked order was set to start 30 days after it was signed and has already led to court disputes from almost 24 states and groups like the ACLU that focus on civil rights. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said, "This executive order attacks the rule of law."

Local immigration lawyer Thomas Esparza is worried about how this could affect immigrant families. He said it might make it harder for some children to get passports and government benefits. He pointed out that there is growing fear among immigrant groups.

To change the Constitution and end birthright citizenship, we would need approval from two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states. This is a much harder process than simply issuing an executive order.

With cases happening, the issue will probably go to the Supreme Court. Esparza suggests that immigrant families stay calm, make backup plans, and get legal help. "This order isn't in effect yet, but it's already causing fear and confusion," he said.

The judge's decision currently protects the idea of birthright citizenship, keeping it safe in U.S. law for now.

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