The nation's highest court agrees to consider lawsuit questioning birthright citizenship.

Judicial building

The US Supreme Court has agreed to take on a pivotal case that questions a longstanding constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born on American soil.

On his first day in office this winter, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the move was halted by lower courts after lawsuits were initiated.

The Supreme Court's eventual judgment will either uphold citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end them entirely.

Next, the judges will calendar a session to hear the case between the administration and the suing parties, which involve parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

The Legal Foundation

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has established the doctrine that anyone born in the country is a American citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and personnel of invading forces.

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

The challenged presidential order sought to refuse citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States is among about a minority of states – largely in the Americas – that award immediate citizenship to any person born within their borders.

Bailey Brown
Bailey Brown

Elara is a tech enthusiast and writer with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and AI development.