Birthright Citizenship Stands: What the Court’s Ruling Means for the U.S.
In a significant legal decision, a U.S. appeals court has blocked President Donald Trump's attempt to end automatic birthright citizenship.
This ruling reaffirms the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status.
Shortly after his second term began on January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship for children born to non-citizen parents, including those in the country illegally or temporarily.
This move was part of his broader strategy to curb illegal immigration. However, the order faced immediate legal challenges. A federal judge in Seattle temporarily barred its enforcement just three days later.
The recent decision by the appeals court upholds this block, preventing the administration from implementing the policy.
The principle of birthright citizenship is rooted in the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, which states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."
This was further solidified by the 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which held that children born in the U.S. to foreign parents are citizens by birthright.
The appeals court's decision maintains the status quo, ensuring that children born on American soil continue to receive U.S. citizenship automatically. This ruling has significant implications: