A federal judge in Maryland has declined to immediately suspend President Donald Trump’s latest executive order restricting birthright citizenship in specific circumstances.US District Judge Deborah Boardman rejected a request for a temporary restraining order because the lawsuit before her challenged an earlier 2025 directive rather than the new order issued on August 6, 2026. The decision was therefore based on the procedural status of the case.
The judge allowed the plaintiffs to amend their complaint and set an expedited schedule for a renewed constitutional challenge. During the hearing, she also raised questions about whether a president can limit citizenship guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment through an executive order.
The directive targets certain children born in the United States, including cases allegedly involving immigration fraud, foreign government personnel or people classified as “alien enemies.” Additional administrative guidance is expected before implementation.
The court’s refusal to grant immediate relief does not amount to a final ruling that the order is constitutional. Its future remains subject to further hearings and possible appeals. The case is particularly important for temporary workers, international students and other immigrant families—including Indians—expecting children in the United States.
