US President Donald Trump
A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily blocked Donald Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship in the US.
US District Court Judge John Coughenour called Trump's executive order "blatantly unconstitutional" and issued a restraining order blocking it from going into force after a 25-minute hearing Thursday.
Under a long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, nearly anyone born inside the US is automatically given citizenship.
Trump hopes to end that rule for children born to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily.
Four states - Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon - asked for the order to be paused while the federal court considers the states' legal challenge.
Judge Coughenour said the Trump order was "blatantly unconstitutional."
Trump to appeal
President Trump has said he plans to appeal the decision by the Seattle judge to block his executive order ending birthright citizenship on Thursday.
The Justice Department spokesperson said it will be presenting a full merits argument to the Court and to the American people, who are desperate to see its Nation's laws enforced.
According to a fact sheet obtained by the CNN, the executive order, which Trump signed hours after taking the oath of office, prohibits federal agencies from issuing documents that affirm US citizenship or recognise documents claiming to recognise US citizenship.
This week, two dozen Democratic-led states and cities challenged Trump's bid in court, a major constitutional challenge to one of the White House's signature policies.
The lawsuits allege that a Trump executive order signed Monday violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which gives a constitutional right of citizenship to all children born in the United States.
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