Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship, Rejecting Trump Executive Order
The Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship, ruling 6-3 against President Donald Trump's effort to end the longstanding constitutional right via executive order.
Background
Birthright citizenship dates back to the Reconstruction era. Under the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 to guarantee citizenship and equal protection to the children of formerly enslaved people, anyone born in the United States "and subject to the jurisdiction thereof" is a citizen.
The Executive Order
Trump issued the executive order, titled "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship," just hours after being sworn back into office in early 2025. The administration was almost immediately challenged in court.
The Court's Decision
The 6-3 ruling affirms that birthright citizenship remains protected under the Constitution, rejecting the administration's argument that the 14th Amendment's protections could be limited through executive action. The decision upholds a precedent that has stood for over 150 years.