The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 30 to block President Trump's executive order restricting birthright citizenship, upholding lower court decisions in a 6–3 vote.
The ruling prevents the administration from implementing the order, which had sought to deny automatic citizenship to newborns whose parents are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents. The decision by the nation's highest court maintains the injunctions issued by multiple lower courts that had halted the measure.
President Trump responded on social media, calling the ruling terrible for our country but suggesting that the issue could still be addressed through legislation. "Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, Birthright Citizenship," he wrote.
The executive order, signed by Trump shortly after his return to the White House in January 2025, directed federal agencies to refuse citizenship documents to children born in the United States unless at least one parent was a citizen or legal permanent resident. The order immediately sparked legal challenges across the country.
Plaintiffs in those lawsuits argued that the order violated the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." The administration, however, contended that the clause "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" implies that birthright citizenship is not automatic based solely on geography, and that only children born to those who have pledged allegiance to the United States should qualify.
The Supreme Court's majority opinion, while not yet published in full, affirmed the reasoning of the lower courts, which had found the executive order likely unconstitutional. The three dissenting justices argued that the administration's interpretation of the 14th Amendment merited further consideration.
With the ruling, the executive order remains permanently enjoined, though the president's call for congressional action signals that the debate over birthright citizenship may continue on Capitol Hill.
Related News:
Financial disclosure reveals: Trump makes over US$1 bn from cryptocurrency profits last year
Watch This | China-US youth baseball games strengthen friendship through sports
Comment