BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the recently signed executive order aimed at removing birthright citizenship, deeming it “unconstitutional.”
During a brief hearing today (Jan. 23), Senior U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour issued a 14-day temporary injunction to prevent the order from taking effect.
"I’ve been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order."
The executive order, signed by President Donald Trump, seeks to prevent birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented parents. Under the order, passports would only be issued to children with at least one parent who is a legal resident or U.S. citizen.
The policy has drawn significant attention, particularly from Caribbean nationals, including many from St. Kitts and Nevis, who often travel to the U.S. to give birth in pursuit of citizenship for their children.
A Senate Minority Report by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs describes this practice, often referred to as “birth tourism.”
The report cites factors such as access to superior educational and professional opportunities as key motivations for these trips, viewing U.S. citizenship as a valuable "rainy-day fund" for their children's future.
