NewsWBEZ ChicagoJune 30, 2026United States
Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment, confirming that children born in the United States are citizens. This decision effectively invalidates a previous executive order from President Donald Trump that sought to restrict birthright citizenship for children of parents without legal status or those in the country temporarily.
Read the full story at WBEZ ChicagoWhy It Matters
The ruling ensures that children born in the U.S. retain their constitutional right to citizenship, preventing the implementation of an executive order that would have affected over a quarter-million births annually.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold the broad definition of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment.
- The ruling invalidates an executive order signed by President Trump last year that sought to deny citizenship to children born to parents without legal status or those in the U.S. temporarily.
- The executive order had been blocked by lower courts and never took effect.
- The 14th Amendment states that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens.
- Exceptions to birthright citizenship remain limited to children of foreign diplomats and those born to a foreign occupying force.
- Research indicates the executive order would have affected over 250,000 babies born in the U.S. annually.
- The restrictions would have applied to both undocumented immigrants and individuals legally in the U.S. on temporary status, such as students or green card applicants.
Who's Mentioned
organizationPennsylvania State University Population Research Institute“Research organization that estimated the number of affected births.”organizationSupreme Court“The judicial body that ruled 6-3 to uphold birthright citizenship.”personDonald Trump“President who signed the executive order attempting to restrict birthright citiz”personEd Yohnka“Spokesperson for the ACLU of Illinois.”personDanae Kovac“Executive director of the HANA Center.”personBrandon Lee“Spokesperson for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.”personCarson Wang“Chicago resident and son of Chinese immigrants who shared his perspective on cit”other14th Amendment“Constitutional amendment providing the basis for birthright citizenship.”personJB Pritzker“Governor of Illinois who issued a statement on the ruling.”organizationMigration Policy Institute“Research organization that estimated the number of affected births.”personGloria“Chicago resident and new mother currently applying for asylum.”