WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s administration Thursday took its battle over his attempt to restrict automatic US birthright citizenship to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to narrow a judicial block on this key element of his hardline immigration policies. The Justice Department made this request to challenge the scope of three nationwide injunctions that federal courts in Washington, Massachusetts, and Maryland had imposed against Trump’s order.

Trump's executive order, signed on his first day back in office on January 20, directs federal agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of US-born children unless at least one parent is an American citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

The administration argues that the 14th Amendment, which has traditionally granted citizenship to nearly everyone born in the US, does not extend to children born to immigrants who are in the country illegally, or even to those with lawful but temporary status, such as university students or work visa holders.

This request to the Supreme Court is the latest step in defending Trump’s actions, following a series of legal challenges. The Court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, includes three justices appointed by Trump during his first term. Trump's push to limit birthright citizenship is part of his broader immigration crackdown, which also includes efforts to involve the US military in border security and a sweeping ban on asylum.