The Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship, ruling that children born in the United States to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present are citizens under the Fourteenth Amendment. The 5-4 decision was authored by Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett. The ruling marks a setback for the Trump administration's immigration agenda.
The decision came down this week in a case challenging the scope of the Citizenship Clause. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented.
Vice President JD Vance said he believes Justice Barrett made a mistake. He noted that the framers of the Fourteenth Amendment likely did not intend citizenship for children of illegal immigrants or birth tourists.
The court also issued related rulings this term that expanded presidential authority over immigration enforcement. These include limits on amnesty programs and temporary protected status for certain immigrants.
Conservative voices have criticized the birthright citizenship outcome while noting other court wins for the administration on executive power.
