The United States Supreme Court announced on Thursday it has scheduled for May 15 the hearing on President Donald Trump's contentious move to end birthright citizenship.
Shortly after he assumed office on January 20, Trump signed an executive order to restrict birthright citizenship for children of couples living illegally or on temporary status in the US. After the order was blocked by several appellate courts, the Trump administration approached the Supreme Court on March 13.
Birthright citizenship
It is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which states that all individuals born on the American territory are US citizens. It was one of several amendments enacted in the wake of the Civil War to guarantee rights to formerly enslaved people.
The amendment specifically states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
Trump's executive order was based on the assertion that individuals residing illegally or on visas weren't "subject to the jurisdiction" of the nation, thus excluding them from citizenship rights.
The order was scheduled to be implemented on February 19. However, it was halted by judges following multiple legal challenges nationwide.
'Blatantly unconstitutional'
In Washington state, district judge John Coughenour, appointed during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, deemed the order "blatantly unconstitutional."
Coughenour stated, "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 is."
This legal obstruction represents one of numerous judicial defeats faced by the federal government in its aim to swifty implement its controversial immigration policies.
The unfavourable court decisions have led the Trump administration to criticise "activist judges." Last week, The House of Representatives, where Trump's Republicans are the majority, passed a legislation to restrict federal judges' authority to issue nationwide injunctions, though the bill faces significant obstacles in the Senate.
Shortly after he assumed office on January 20, Trump signed an executive order to restrict birthright citizenship for children of couples living illegally or on temporary status in the US. After the order was blocked by several appellate courts, the Trump administration approached the Supreme Court on March 13.
Birthright citizenship
It is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which states that all individuals born on the American territory are US citizens. It was one of several amendments enacted in the wake of the Civil War to guarantee rights to formerly enslaved people.
The amendment specifically states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
Trump's executive order was based on the assertion that individuals residing illegally or on visas weren't "subject to the jurisdiction" of the nation, thus excluding them from citizenship rights.
The order was scheduled to be implemented on February 19. However, it was halted by judges following multiple legal challenges nationwide.
'Blatantly unconstitutional'
In Washington state, district judge John Coughenour, appointed during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, deemed the order "blatantly unconstitutional."
Coughenour stated, "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 is."
This legal obstruction represents one of numerous judicial defeats faced by the federal government in its aim to swifty implement its controversial immigration policies.
The unfavourable court decisions have led the Trump administration to criticise "activist judges." Last week, The House of Representatives, where Trump's Republicans are the majority, passed a legislation to restrict federal judges' authority to issue nationwide injunctions, though the bill faces significant obstacles in the Senate.
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