Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Latest Attempt to Limit Birthright Citizenship

US District Judge Deborah Boardman (District of Maryland) ruled Wednesday, September 3, 2026, that Trump's August executive order narrowing birthright citizenship — targeting children born to 'alien enemy' parents or foreign embassy workers — 'is almost certainly unconstitutional,' preliminarily enjoining its enforcement nationwide. In her 35-page ruling, Boardman cited the Supreme Court's June 2026 decision that had already blocked Trump's broader January 2025 birthright citizenship order, writing the president 'has tried, through Executive Order, to upend our country's longstanding tradition of birthright citizenship.' Attorney General Todd Blanche said the ruling 'is not something that is a surprise to us' and vowed the administration would 'continue to fight,' potentially returning to the Supreme Court. Agencies may still draft implementation guidance but cannot enforce the narrower policy.