Major relief for Indians in the US: court blocks Trump's citizenship order indefinitely
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In a significant legal victory for Indian students and professionals residing in the United States on temporary visas, a federal judge in Seattle has issued an indefinite block on President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship.
The ruling, delivered by US District Judge John Coughenour, strongly criticised Trump's attempt to bypass constitutional law for political motives.
Judge Coughenour’s preliminary injunction is the second major judicial setback to Trump’s immigration policies, following a similar ruling by a federal judge in Maryland. During the hearing, the judge reaffirmed the Constitution’s authority, stating that altering the right to birthright citizenship would require a formal constitutional amendment, not an executive order.
"It has become ever-more apparent that to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals," Coughenour remarked, emphasising his commitment to upholding legal principles in his courtroom. He also warned that the Constitution should not be manipulated for political gains.
The new nationwide injunction builds on an earlier temporary block issued by Coughenour shortly after Trump signed the order.
A separate ruling from US District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland also imposed a nationwide hold on the policy. Both rulings will remain in place while legal proceedings continue. The US Justice Department has since announced plans to appeal the Seattle court’s decision, potentially taking the case to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, and ultimately, the Supreme Court.
Trump’s executive order, signed shortly after he returned to office on January 20, sought to deny US citizenship to children born in America unless at least one parent was a permanent resident or a US citizen. This policy sparked widespread concern among the Indian community, particularly those living on temporary visas such as H-1B (work visa), L Visa (intra-company transfers), H-4 (dependent visa holders), and F Visa (students).
Under the order, children born to parents on these visas would not automatically receive US citizenship. This raised fears about their access to in-state tuition, federal financial aid, and scholarships, creating financial and educational uncertainty for many families. The order also intensified concerns among immigrants stuck in green card backlogs, as their children born outside the US could face self-deportation upon turning 21 if they failed to secure another visa.
Trump’s policy led to panic among expectant Indian parents in the US, with some rushing to deliver their babies before the February 20 deadline set by the order. The uncertainty surrounding birthright citizenship further heightened anxieties among immigrants navigating complex visa and residency regulations.