WASHINGTON DC, 23 JAN

A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end the granting of American citizenship to children born to foreigners in the US.

US District Judge John Coughenour issued a temporary restraining order preventing Trump from carrying out his order aimed at ending birthright citizenship.

“This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” Coughenour said in court, according to The Associated Press.

Twenty-two states have joined lawsuits challenging Trump’s order as a violation of the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause. Longstanding Supreme Court precedent confirms that, under the amendment, virtually all children born on US soil are entitled to American citizenship.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office Thursday, Trump vowed to appeal. “There’s no surprises with that judge,” he said

In light of the California fires, Trump called on federal officials to draft plans to route more water to the crop-rich Central Valley and densely populated cities in the southern part of the state. He later he threatened to withhold federal disaster aid unless California leaders change the state's approach on water.

Meanwhile, a powerful US lawmaker has criticised the policy affecting children of H-1B visa holders who "age out" their immigration status upon turning 21.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Children of H-1B visa holders who turn 21 before their parent secures a Green Card can lose their dependent status and age out of the ability to obtain a permanent resident card.

A Green Card allows a non-US citizen to live and work permanently in America.