The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutional right to birthright citizenship, rejecting a policy implemented by former President Donald Trump. The ruling preserves the long-standing practice of granting automatic citizenship to children born in the United States, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
The court rejected an executive order issued by President Trump that sought to limit birthright citizenship, arguing it was not consistent with the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. According to PBS Newshour, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed disappointment following the decision, stating “Oh dear” as a reporter read out the ruling.
The legal challenge stemmed from the Trump administration’s attempt to alter interpretations of the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, which states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens. Until President Trump, few saw it as controversial, according to PBS Newshour.
The decision is considered a significant setback for Trump’s immigration agenda. Bloomberg reported that the ruling invalidated a central plank of his policy. The New York Times noted this ends one of the most aggressive parts of Trump's immigration agenda, while hundreds of other restrictions remain in effect. Multiple sources including BBC US, The Guardian US, Mother Jones and Time Magazine characterized the decision as a blow to the former president’s policies.
Conversely, conservative voices expressed strong disapproval. Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, called the Supreme Court ruling “a tremendous betrayal of the public,” according to The Hill. Fox News reported that the decision was described as “destructive” and “outrageous.” Newsmax highlighted Republican criticism of the court’s action.
Following the ruling, Donald Trump is reportedly seeking a legislative solution through Congress. According to the Washington Examiner, he hopes to pass legislation addressing birthright citizenship after his attempt via executive order failed. The Washington Examiner also published an opinion piece arguing that the Supreme Court's decision was legally and historically wrong.
Clarence Thomas claimed the ruling “devalues” US citizenship for other Americans, while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized his treatment of the 14th Amendment as ‘myopic,’ according to The Independent UK. NBC News reported crowds gathered outside the Supreme Court cheering after the decision was announced.
The Financial Times and France24 both characterized the ruling as a rejection of Trump’s bid to curb birthright citizenship, while DW noted that the court also ruled on campaign finance and transgender issues alongside this case.
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