NewsNBC 6 South FloridaJune 30, 2026United States
Supreme Court Rules Birthright Citizenship Remains Constitutional
The Supreme Court struck down a Trump administration executive order that sought 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.
Read the full story at NBC 6 South FloridaWhy It Matters
The ruling maintains the current legal status of 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 executive order was signed by President Trump on his first day in office 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 wrote a 91-page dissent arguing the 14th Amendment was intended only to secure rights for freed Black people.
- The ruling relies on the 1868 ratification of the 14th Amendment and the 1898 Supreme Court precedent in Wong Kim Ark.
- Approximately 250,000 babies born in the U.S. annually would have been affected by the executive order.
- The order would have applied to children of individuals in the U.S. both illegally and legally, including students and green card applicants.
Who's Mentioned
organizationPennsylvania State University“Research institution.”organizationLeague of United Latin American Citizens“Plaintiff in the case.”personD. John Sauer“Solicitor General who argued for the administration.”personBrett Kavanaugh“Supreme Court Justice who joined the majority but dissented in part.”personClarence Thomas“Supreme Court Justice who dissented.”personRoman Palomares“President of LULAC.”personSamuel Alito“Supreme Court Justice who dissented.”organizationMigration Policy Institute“Research organization.”personNeil Gorsuch“Supreme Court Justice who dissented.”personElena Kagan“Supreme Court Justice in the majority.”personSonia Sotomayor“Supreme Court Justice in the majority.”organizationFederation for American Immigration Reform“Advocacy group supporting immigration restrictions.”personAmy Coney Barrett“Supreme Court Justice in the majority.”personJohn Roberts“Chief Justice who wrote the majority opinion.”personKetanji Brown Jackson“Supreme Court Justice in the majority.”personDonald Trump“President who issued the executive order.”