The Trump administration has escalated its legal battle to end birthright citizenship in the United States, filing an appeal with the Supreme Court to overturn lower court rulings that blocked the controversial executive order. Signed by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office in January, the order aims to deny citizenship to children born to migrants who are either in the U.S. illegally or on temporary visas. Lower courts have consistently deemed the order unconstitutional, halting its implementation. The Justice Department, in its appeal filed on Friday, argued that the lower court decisions ‘invalidated a policy of prime importance’ to the administration and undermined border security. The administration contends that the 14th Amendment’s clause ‘subject to the jurisdiction thereof’ excludes children of non-permanent or unlawful residents. However, opponents argue that the amendment guarantees citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil. The Supreme Court, which previously ruled in June that federal judges cannot block presidential orders, is now being asked to resolve the case in its new term starting October 6. The outcome could have far-reaching implications, with estimates suggesting that ending birthright citizenship could increase the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. to 4.7 million by 2050.
Trump officials ask Supreme Court to uphold ban on birthright citizenship
