Supreme Court blocks Trump’s bid to end birthright citizenship, upholds constitutional right

President Donald Trump challenged birthright citizenship on January 20, 2025, by signing executive order on his first day back in office
The bench observed that the 14th Amendment guarantees automatic citizenship for nearly all children born on US soil, even those born to parents in the country unlawfully will continue to exist. (Getty Images, Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The bench observed that the 14th Amendment guarantees automatic citizenship for nearly all children born on US soil, even those born to parents in the country unlawfully will continue to exist. (Getty Images, Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, June 30, the Supreme Court of America upheld the right to citizenship for people born in the United States, arguing that Trump’s citizenship restriction are illegal.

President Donald Trump challenged birthright citizenship on January 20, 2025, by signing Executive Order 14160 on his first day back in office.

SC declares children born in US will automatically get citizenship

Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by all three liberal justices and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, wrote in favour of a long-standing constitutional principle for children born to many immigrants.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 30: The U.S. Supreme Court is seen on the final day of its term on June 30, 20
Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by all three liberal justices and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, wrote in favour of a long-standing constitutional principle for children born to many immigrants. (Getty Images)

The bench observed that the 14th Amendment guarantees automatic citizenship for nearly all children born on US soil, even those born to parents in the country unlawfully will continue to exist.

A sixth justice, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, disagreed but voted to block Trump’s order under federal law.

“Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause,” the ruling on Tuesday said. The case is known as Trump v. Barbara.

Trump attended oral argument, giving importance to policy

Trump, who on the first day of his second tenure decided to block the citizenship rights of children born in the US to parents who are not American citizens or lawful permanent residents, attended the oral argument, given that the policy was his priority.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 14: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is expected to issue a proclamation on the 90th anniversary of Social Security and highlight his administration's efforts on the program. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

During oral argument, the court justices signaled that they would affirm that individuals born in the United States to non-US citizens are automatically granted citizenship.

Trump’s order never took effect after it was challenged in court by Democratic-led states, immigrant rights groups, and individual mothers.

The lawsuits argued that the policy violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees US citizenship to anyone born in the country and “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”

Immigrants prepare to become American citizens at a naturalization service on January 22, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. Although much of the federal government was shut down Monday morning, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), offices remained open nationwide. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
Immigrants prepare to become American citizens at a naturalization service on January 22, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (John Moore/Getty Images)

The citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which was adopted in 1868, says, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The Justice Department is investigating whether Harvard's China-linked scholarships discriminated against American students
4 minutes ago
Trump suggested the ally was at fault, saying, 'When you let other people do your work, sometimes that doesn't work out'
16 minutes ago
Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed unnamed senior Trump officials support military action against Iran because they are pursuing future presidential bids
1 hour ago
Days after accusing China of helping cost him the 2020 election, Trump downplayed Beijing's alleged role
1 hour ago
The case centers on releasing audio recordings and transcripts of Biden's 2016–17 interviews with his memoir ghostwriter
2 hours ago
Kennedy says the states must prove Medicaid payments were legitimate before more than $1 billion in federal funding is restored
3 hours ago
Republican lawmaker says newly declassified intelligence warrants suspending every Chinese F-1 and J-1 visa issued by the US
3 hours ago
As Democrats push for higher taxes on the wealthy, Trump argued the policy would drive rich residents to Republican-led states, leaving blue states
3 hours ago
Trump is reportedly pursuing a new legal route to revive his trade agenda despite advisers warning of economic and political fallout
4 hours ago
The Pentagon on Monday confirmed that around 100 US service members were injured in incidents and attacks originating from Iran since July 7
4 hours ago