Context:

A federal judge in New Hampshire blocked the Trump administration's executive order that sought to end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented parents in the United States. Judge Joseph N. Laplante certified the lawsuit as a class action, allowing it to apply nationwide to children born on or after February 20. This legal move comes after a Supreme Court ruling that restricted lower courts' ability to issue nationwide injunctions, pushing class actions as an alternative method for contesting such policies. The A.C.L.U. argued that the executive order threatened to make affected children stateless, undermining their potential as American citizens. The ruling was hailed as a significant victory for immigration rights advocates, who fear a fragmented legal landscape if the order were enforced in certain regions but not others after July 27.

Dive Deeper:

• Judge Joseph N. Laplante issued a nationwide injunction blocking President Trump's executive order that aimed to deny birthright citizenship to children of undocumented parents, citing the potential harm to those affected.

• The lawsuit, supported by the A.C.L.U., was filed immediately after a Supreme Court decision that restricted nationwide injunctions, prompting the use of class actions as a legal strategy to challenge the order.

• The executive order, which has roots in English common law and the 14th Amendment, was seen by many constitutional experts as unconstitutional, as it contradicts the principle that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens.

• The ruling prevented the implementation of a policy that could have rendered children born to undocumented immigrants 'effectively stateless,' a concern highlighted by the A.C.L.U. in their legal challenge.

• The decision was met with criticism from Trump administration officials like Tom Homan, who accused the judiciary of blocking the administration's agenda despite public support, as reflected in Trump's election.

• Judge Laplante's ruling emphasized the fundamental nature of citizenship as one of the most significant privileges offered by the government, justifying the need to block policies that would strip this right from children.

• Without this legal intervention, there was a risk of creating a chaotic situation across the country, with some regions enforcing the order and others not, leading to a fragmented legal environment by July 27.