🔗 Share this article America's top judicial body has decided to hear legal challenge disputing citizenship by birth. The top court has decided to review a landmark case that questions a longstanding guarantee: guaranteed citizenship for those born within US borders. On the inaugural day in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to terminate this practice, but the action was struck down by the judiciary after constitutional questions were brought forward. The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US without authorization or on temporary visas, or it will overturn them entirely. Next, the judges will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the government and the suing parties, which include parents who are immigrants and their young children. A Constitutional Cornerstone For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has established the doctrine that all individuals born in the country is a citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and members of invading forces. "Anyone born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." The challenged executive order sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on non-permanent visas. The United States belongs to a group of about a minority of states – mostly in the North and South America – that award instant citizenship to any person born in their territory.
The top court has decided to review a landmark case that questions a longstanding guarantee: guaranteed citizenship for those born within US borders. On the inaugural day in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to terminate this practice, but the action was struck down by the judiciary after constitutional questions were brought forward. The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US without authorization or on temporary visas, or it will overturn them entirely. Next, the judges will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the government and the suing parties, which include parents who are immigrants and their young children. A Constitutional Cornerstone For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has established the doctrine that all individuals born in the country is a citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and members of invading forces. "Anyone born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." The challenged executive order sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on non-permanent visas. The United States belongs to a group of about a minority of states – mostly in the North and South America – that award instant citizenship to any person born in their territory.