At IFLG, we’ve been closely tracking the lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s executive order of January 20th, 2025, attempting to end birthright citizenship. TODAY, a federal judge issued a significant ruling.
Judge Joseph LaPlante of the U.S. District Court in New Hampshire certified a class action lawsuit covering all children born in the United States on or after February 20 who would be affected by the executive order and issued a preliminary injunction blocking its enforcement. This includes children born to undocumented parents, asylum seekers, and families present on student or work visas.
This ruling follows the Supreme Court’s June 27, 2025, decision limiting the authority of lower courts to issue nationwide injunctions. Judge LaPlante addressed that limitation by certifying the class, which allowed him to apply relief across the country. He found that denying citizenship to infants would cause irreparable harm and stated that the decision was not a close call.
At the heart of the case is the 14th Amendment, which has guaranteed for more than 125 years that any child born on American soil is a U.S. citizen. Today’s ruling preserves that constitutional protection, at least for now, while legal challenges continue.
This case is expected to return to the Supreme Court.
