Judge blocks Trump birthright citizenship order in nationwide class action case

A federal judge in New Hampshire on Thursday blocked President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order by certifying a nationwide class action, marking the first such ruling since the Supreme Court narrowed the ability of lower courts to issue sweeping injunctions against presidential policies.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante, an appointee of former President George W. Bush in Concord, sided with immigrant rights advocates who filed the case on behalf of children who could be denied U.S. citizenship under Trump’s directive. By granting class status to all potentially affected babies nationwide, Laplante cleared the way to issue a new order blocking enforcement of the policy.