The US Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship, ruling that children born in the United States are citizens at birth under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts said children born in the US to parents who are “unlawfully or temporarily present” are entitled to citizenship. The ruling blocks President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to end the long-standing policy.
Trump argued that children born to undocumented immigrants and some temporary visitors should not automatically receive US citizenship because they were not fully “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States. The court rejected that interpretation.
Five justices, including Roberts, found the executive order unconstitutional. Justice Brett Kavanaugh also wrote separately, saying the order conflicts with federal law.
The decision preserves a constitutional principle that has been in place since 1868, when the 14th Amendment was adopted after the US Civil War.
Following the ruling, Trump criticised the decision on Truth Social, calling it “too bad” and urging Congress to pursue legislation to end birthright citizenship instead.
Civil rights groups welcomed the judgment, saying it reaffirms long-established constitutional protections, while several Republican leaders and conservative justices criticised the outcome.
The ruling keeps birthright citizenship firmly in place and marks one of the most significant legal setbacks to Trump’s immigration policies.
