Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens.

While multiple federal judges have ruled against the enforceability of that order, the U.S. Supreme Court announced this week that it will hear arguments over the matter. 

14th Amendment at issue

NPR reported in January that U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour issued a temporary injunction upholding universal birthright citizenship following a challenge brought by Oregon, Arizona, Illinois, and Washington state.

The plaintiffs pointed to the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which states, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

Coughenour called Trump's executive order "blatantly unconstitutional," saying, "I've been on the bench for four decades, I can't remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is."

"There are other times in world history where we look back and people of goodwill can say, 'Where were the judges? Where were the lawyers?'" he added.

Coughenour was not alone in reaching that conclusion, as U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman issued a similar injunction two weeks later.

Trump: Case "misunderstood"

However, the Associated Press noted that America's highest judicial body revealed on Thursday that it will hear arguments regarding Trump's order next month.

The news service reported that Trump has said that he is "so happy" with the Supreme Court's decision and believes his administration will be victorious.

"I think the case has been so misunderstood," the president was quoted as telling reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday.

Trump maintained that the 14th Amendment's citizenship was aimed at securing the rights of African Americans following the Civil War, saying, "If you look at it that way, we would win that case."

New Jersey AG: Trump position "blatantly unconstitutional"

The president's reasoning, however, was rejected in a statement released by New Jersey Democrat Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.

"President Trump’s attempt to terminate birthright citizenship is blatantly unconstitutional, which is why every court to date has rejected his Administration’s filings," Platkin declared.

Statement by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on SCOTUS Decision to Grant Oral Argument on Birthright Citizenshiphttps://t.co/Pate42QxkK pic.twitter.com/0gZ8QbVsF5

— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) April 17, 2025

"We fought to prevent this unlawful order from stripping American citizenship from hundreds of thousands of Americans born across this country," the attorney general went on to insist, and where things go from here, only time will tell.