The United States Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, dealing a major setback to his immigration policy agenda.
In a 6-3 decision, the court blocked Trump’s executive order that sought to limit automatic citizenship for some people born on American soil.
The ruling preserves the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to people born or naturalised in the United States.
Court upholds constitutional protection
The 14th Amendment has been a foundation of US citizenship law for more than a century.
Trump had issued the executive order shortly after beginning his second term, arguing that the policy needed to change as part of his wider immigration reforms.
However, lower courts had already stopped the order from taking effect while legal challenges continued.
Chief Justice explains decision
Chief Justice John Roberts said the constitutional promise of citizenship remains protected.
He noted that the principle of birthright citizenship represents a fundamental right connected to participation in the country’s political community.
Trump faces legal setback
The ruling marks another legal challenge for Trump’s administration as it pushes stricter immigration policies.
The relationship between Trump and the Supreme Court has become increasingly tense following other major rulings, despite the president appointing three of the court’s nine justices.
Trump had previously criticised the court and suggested the justices could rule against him in the birthright citizenship case.