What's happened
The Supreme Court will hear Trump's appeal on a lower court ruling that struck down his executive order restricting birthright citizenship. The case, originating from New Hampshire, challenges the constitutionality of the order, which aims to alter longstanding interpretations of the 14th Amendment. A decision is expected by early summer 2026.
What's behind the headline?
The Supreme Court's upcoming decision will test the durability of the 14th Amendment's interpretation in the context of modern immigration. The case underscores the ongoing political debate over immigration rights and constitutional limits. Given the conservative majority on the court, including three appointees by Trump, the ruling could significantly reshape U.S. citizenship laws. The legal challenge from the ACLU emphasizes that no president can unilaterally alter constitutional protections. The case's outcome will likely influence immigration policy and the scope of presidential executive orders for years to come.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera highlights the legal arguments and the court's procedural timeline, noting the conservative majority and the potential impact on citizenship rights. France 24 emphasizes the broader immigration crackdown under Trump, including other policies and court challenges, and notes the significance of this case as the first to reach a final ruling on birthright citizenship. AP News summarizes the procedural aspects, including the scheduled spring argument and the importance of the case in the context of ongoing legal battles over immigration enforcement.
How we got here
In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order attempting to restrict birthright citizenship for children of undocumented migrants and temporary visa holders. Lower courts blocked the order, citing violations of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. The administration argued the amendment was meant for post-Civil War rights, not modern immigration, but courts have consistently rejected this view. The case now reaches the Supreme Court, which has previously sided with Trump on other immigration policies, but has not yet ruled on this specific order.
Go deeper
More on these topics
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Birthright citizenship may refer to:
Jus soli (the right of the soil or the land), a Latin term meaning that one's nationality is determined by the place of one's birth
Jus sanguinis (the right of blood), a Latin term meaning that one may acquire nationa
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States of America. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all federal and state court cases that involve a point of federal law, and original jurisdict