Trump Week 25, Part 2: Court Blocks Birthright Citizenship Order as Trade and Immigration Actions Escalate
Federal rulings, mass layoffs, and rising tariffs define the second half of the week as immigration and trade remain center stage.
Trump’s 25th week concluded with additional court rulings, shifts in immigration enforcement, deepening tensions with Harvard University, government downsizing, and the ongoing trade war. Following a previous report from The Introspective detailing the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Trump administration’s executive order limiting Birthright Citizenship, a federal judge has now blocked the order from taking effect.
Simultaneously, another judge ordered the administration to halt immigration raids in Los Angeles and several other counties—an order that carries heightened significance amid revelations from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) memo outlining plans to deport immigrants to countries where they are not citizens.
As tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard University escalates—centered on allegations of antisemitism and policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—websites supporting minority students, LGBTQ+ students, and women were taken down. Meanwhile, as part of ongoing federal downsizing efforts, the State Department began laying off more than 1,300 employees.
In the latest phase of the trade war, President Trump announced a 35% tariff on Canadian goods set to begin Aug. 1, followed by an additional 30% tariff targeting the European Union and Mexico, also scheduled to take effect the same day.
Immigration
U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante blocked Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, following a previous Introspective report detailing the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the order.
“The preliminary injunction is just not a close call to the court,” Laplante said during the hearing, adding that U.S. citizenship “is the greatest privilege that exists in the world.”
“The deprivation of U.S. citizenship and an abrupt change of policy that was longstanding … that’s irreparable harm,” he said.
In a written order issued the same day, Laplante wrote that he “has no difficulty concluding that the rapid adoption by executive order, without legislation and the attending national debate, of a new government policy of highly questionable constitutionality that would deny citizenship to many thousands of individuals previously granted citizenship under an indisputably longstanding policy, constitutes irreparable harm, and that all class representatives could suffer irreparable harm absent an injunction.”
The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of two pregnant undocumented women and a Brazilian man—who is married to one of the women—seeking permanent status.
In a press release, ACLU members celebrated the ruling. Cody Wofsy, who argued the case and is deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, stated that the group is “fighting” to ensure citizenship rights aren’t hindered.
“This ruling is a huge victory and will help protect the citizenship of all children born in the United States, as the Constitution intended,” Wofsy said.
Aarti Kohli, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus, also celebrated the ruling as a “major victory.”
“Since the Supreme Court’s decision, parents have lived in fear and uncertainty—wondering whether they should give birth in a different state, whether their newborns would be subject to deportation, and what kind of future awaits their children,” Kohli said.
“This court’s injunction protecting birthright citizenship for all affected children is a major victory for families across this country and for all Americans. This ruling reaffirms that constitutional rights cannot be stripped away by executive decree.”
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields criticized the ruling, calling it “an obvious and unlawful attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court's clear order against universal relief.”
“This judge’s decision disregards the rule of law by abusing class action certification procedures,” Fields said.
“The Trump administration will be fighting vigorously against the attempts of these rogue district court judges to impede the policies President Trump was elected to implement.”
Meanwhile, a federal judge directed the Trump administration to halt immigration raids in Los Angeles and other counties in California, following ongoing backlash and ongoing anti-immigrant sentiment.
“As required by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, defendants shall be enjoined from conducting detentive stops in this district unless the agent or officer has reasonable suspicion that the person to be stopped is within the United States in violation of U.S. immigration law,” wrote District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong.
Frimpong stated that ICE agents cannot rely on factors such as “apparent race or ethnicity,” “speaking Spanish or speaking English with an accent,” or a person’s “presence at a particular location (e.g., bus stop, car wash, tow yard, day laborer pick-up site, agricultural site, etc.).”
In a post on X, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli dismissed the ruling, writing, “Federal agents will continue to enforce the law and abide by the U.S. Constitution.”
“We strongly disagree with the allegations in the lawsuit and maintain that our agents have never detained individuals without proper legal justification,” he added.
Separately, an ICE memo obtained by The Washington Post revealed plans to deport immigrants to countries where they are not citizens. Todd M. Lyons, acting ICE director, wrote that the agency can deport individuals to those countries “without the need for further procedures.”
Harvard University and Federal Downsizing
As tensions between Harvard University and the Trump administration continue, Harvard websites related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) were taken down. This follows a previous Introspective report highlighting the university’s decision to disband its DEI office.
In a joint statement, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services (HHS) informed the New England Commission of Higher Education that Harvard may be “in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws and therefore may fail to meet the standards for accreditation set by the Commission,” citing allegations of antisemitism.
“Accrediting bodies play a significant role in preserving academic integrity and a campus culture conducive to truth-seeking and learning. Part of that is ensuring students are safe on campus and abiding by federal laws that guarantee educational opportunities to all students,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
“By allowing anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination to persist unchecked on its campus, Harvard University has failed in its obligation to students, educators, and American taxpayers. The Department of Education expects the New England Commission of Higher Education to enforce its policies and practices, and to keep the Department fully informed of its efforts to ensure that Harvard is in compliance with federal law and accreditor standards.”
In a letter to Harvard President Alan Garber, alumni group Crimson Courage urged the university to reinstate DEI policies.
“This is no time to step back from your refusal to allow the federal government to dictate how Harvard educates,” the group wrote, in a letter obtained by CNN.
“It’s time for courage, not capitulation.”
Meanwhile, amid the continued downsizing of the federal government, the State Department began mass layoffs on Friday, affecting more than 1,300 employees.
“The Department is streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities,” read a notice sent to staff.
“Headcount reductions have been carefully tailored to affect non-core functions, duplicative or redundant offices, and offices where considerable efficiencies may be found.”
In a press release, Sen. Tim Kaine criticized the directive, saying it makes America “less safe and less secure.”
“A strong State Department—one that is not only fully staffed, but staffed by qualified experts free from political pressure—is essential to our national security,” Kaine wrote.
“This is one of the most ridiculous decisions that could possibly be made at a time when China is increasing its diplomatic footprint around the world and establishing an overseas network of military and transportation bases, Russia is continuing its years-long brutal assault on a sovereign country, and the Middle East is careening from crisis to crisis.”
In a report from NBC News, several State Department employees expressed shock and disappointment once the layoffs began.
“It’s so hard to work somewhere your entire life and then get treated this way,” said a laid-off employee with more than 30 years of experience.
“I don’t know how you treat people this way. I really don’t.”
Trade
With the trade war ongoing, President Trump announced a 35% tariff on Canadian goods, citing alleged fentanyl smuggling into the United States. However, a CBS News report found that just 43 pounds of fentanyl entered the U.S. through Canada, compared to 21,100 pounds that came through the Mexican border.
“If Canada works with me to stop the flow of fentanyl, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“These tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded on X, saying the Canadian government has “steadfastly defended our workers and businesses.”
“We will continue to do so as we work toward the revised deadline of August 1. Canada has made vital progress to stop the scourge of fentanyl in North America. We are committed to continuing to work with the United States to save lives and protect communities in both our countries,” he wrote.
President Trump later announced a 30% tariff on goods from the European Union and Mexico, with all three tariffs scheduled to take effect Aug. 1.
“Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done is not enough,” Trump wrote in a letter to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
In a press release, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned of the broader implications of the tariffs.
“Imposing 30% tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” von der Leyen said.
“The EU has consistently prioritized a negotiated solution with the U.S., reflecting our commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership.”
French President Emmanuel Macron threatened retaliatory measures if an agreement is not reached by the August deadline.
“In European unity, it is more crucial than ever for the Commission to assert the Union’s determination to resolutely defend European interests,” Macron wrote on X.
“This notably involves accelerating the preparation of credible countermeasures, by mobilizing all available instruments, including the anti-coercion mechanism, if no agreement is reached by August 1.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed optimism that a deal could still be reached.
“We believe, based on what our colleagues discussed yesterday, that we will reach an agreement with the USA and that we will, of course, achieve better conditions,” she said.
“And there is something that is never negotiated, ever—and that is the sovereignty of our country.”