Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump’s administration made a bold move on Thursday by appealing to the Supreme Court in a series of emergency requests, seeking approval to end birthright citizenship. This controversial action challenges a long-standing legal interpretation that grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The administration’s plea brings a fringe legal theory into the spotlight, one that has been consistently dismissed by lower courts.
The Trump administration argued that lower courts overstepped their bounds by issuing injunctions that halted the implementation of the proposed policy nationwide. The appeals court has previously ignored the administration’s requests to delay these injunctions, which were placed on an executive order signed at the beginning of Trump’s second term. The administration is now urging the Supreme Court to limit the impact of these orders, stating that universal injunctions have become prevalent during the current administration’s term.
For over 150 years, the interpretation of the 14th Amendment has guaranteed citizenship to individuals born or naturalized in the U.S., regardless of their parents’ immigration status. A key Supreme Court ruling from 1898 upheld this interpretation, and the modern court has not shown any inclination to challenge it. However, some conservatives argue that the 14th Amendment only applies to individuals ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the U.S., suggesting that undocumented immigrants do not fall under this category.
The debate over birthright citizenship continues to evolve as the Trump administration challenges long-standing legal norms and interpretations. This contentious issue has raised important questions about the scope of constitutional protections and the rights of individuals born in the U.S. without legal status. Stay tuned as this story develops and new updates emerge on this crucial legal battle.