The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily blocked new US president Donald Trump’s order to end the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship regardless of the parents’ immigration status, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional”.
This is one among Trump’s executive orders which is has led to fear among Indian-origin immigrants in the US.
US District Judge John C. Coughenour said that he was having “trouble understanding” Trump’s attempt to deny US citizenship to children born in the US.
The judge also asked where the lawyers were when the decision to sign the executive order was made.
“I am having trouble understanding how a member of the bar could state unequivocally that this order is constitutional,” Coughenour told a Justice Department lawyer defending the order. “It just boggles my mind.”
“I have been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case whether the question presented was as clear,” Coughenour said.
The judge’s order has halted enforcement of the policy for 14 days while the court considers a preliminary injunction.
The case is one of five lawsuits brought by 22 states and several immigrant rights groups, DW reports.
Those suing against the presidential order argue it violates the 14th Amendment to the constitution, which says that anyone born in the US is a citizen.
The Justice Department has said the order represented an “integral part” of Trump’s effort “to address this nation’s broken immigration system and the ongoing crisis at the southern border.”
If allowed the stand, the order would mean children born after February 19 to mothers or fathers who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents could be deported and would not be allowed to receive Social Security numbers, government benefits or the right to work lawfully when they are older.
Trump said the government will appeal the ruling.