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NewsNBC Los Angeles (KNBC) – PoliticsJune 30, 2026United States

Supreme Court Rules Birthright Citizenship Remains Constitutional

The Supreme Court struck down a Trump administration executive order that attempted to end birthright citizenship for children born to parents in the U.S. unlawfully or temporarily. The 6-3 ruling affirmed that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, with very limited exceptions.

immigrationcitizenshipSupreme Court14th Amendmentexecutive order
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Why It Matters

The ruling maintains the current legal status of citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents, preventing the implementation of an executive order that would have denied them automatic citizenship.

Key Facts

  • The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the executive order limiting birthright citizenship is unconstitutional.
  • The Court held that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to children born in the U.S. regardless of their parents' legal status.
  • The ruling invalidates an executive order signed by President Trump in January 2025.
  • Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the majority to strike down the order but suggested Congress could potentially create exceptions through new legislation.
  • Justices Thomas, Gorsuch, and Alito dissented from the majority opinion.
  • Justice Thomas authored a 91-page dissent arguing the 14th Amendment was intended specifically for freed Black Americans.
  • The ruling relies on the 14th Amendment and the 1898 Supreme Court precedent in Wong Kim Ark.
  • The executive order would have affected more than 250,000 babies born in the U.S. annually.
  • The order would have applied to both undocumented immigrants and individuals legally in the U.S. on temporary visas or green card applications.

Who's Mentioned

personKetanji Brown Jackson“Supreme Court Justice in the majority.”personDonald Trump“President who issued the executive order.”personSonia Sotomayor“Supreme Court Justice in the majority.”personNeil Gorsuch“Supreme Court Justice who dissented.”personBrett Kavanaugh“Supreme Court Justice who joined the majority but dissented in part.”personClarence Thomas“Supreme Court Justice who dissented.”personDale Wilcox“Executive director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform.”personD. John Sauer“Solicitor General.”personJohn Roberts“Chief Justice who wrote the majority opinion.”organizationLeague of United Latin American Citizens“Plaintiff in the case.”personAmy Coney Barrett“Supreme Court Justice in the majority.”personElena Kagan“Supreme Court Justice in the majority.”personRoman Palomares“President of LULAC.”personSamuel Alito“Supreme Court Justice who dissented.”