Feb 7, 2025 Story by: Editor
SEATTLE — A federal judge has granted Washington state’s request for a preliminary injunction against the president’s executive order on birthright citizenship, temporarily preventing the federal government from denying citizenship to children of immigrants.
This ruling ensures that immigrant families across the country are safeguarded from any immediate risk of their children losing citizenship as Washington’s legal challenge progresses.
Thursday’s hearing was part of a multistate lawsuit filed on Jan. 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The case, initially brought by Washington and later joined by Oregon, Arizona, and Illinois, was combined with a similar lawsuit from the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. This separate case represents two expecting mothers and a proposed class of pregnant individuals in Washington who could be affected by the executive order.
“Our argument is simple and true — birthright citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution,” said Attorney General Nick Brown. “The president may not care about the Constitution or the rule of law, but we do.”
The lawsuit argues that President Trump’s executive order directly violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the federal Immigration and Nationality Act.
If upheld, the order would strip thousands of newborns and children born in Washington each year of their right to full participation in American society as citizens, despite the constitutional guarantee of their citizenship.
By issuing the executive order, President Trump exceeded his legal authority. Allowing federal agencies to implement and enforce the policy would negatively impact thousands of Washington residents and the state as a whole.
Washington provides various programs to support residents’ health and welfare, many of which rely on federal funding. The executive order would lead to funding reductions, affecting the state’s ability to administer these services.
The case is being handled by Wing Luke Civil Rights Division Chief Colleen Melody, along with Assistant Attorneys General Lane Polozola, Daniel Jeon, and Alyson Dimmitt Gnam. Paralegals Tiffany Jennings and Anna Alfonso are also working on the case for Washington.
Representing the individual plaintiffs and the proposed class of children and pregnant persons are Matt Adams, Leila Kang, Glenda M. Aldana Madrid, and Aaron Korthuis of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. Source: Washington State Office of Attorney
