Supreme Court Upholds Constitution’s Guarantee of Birthright Citizenship in the 14th Amendment

CHICAGO – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected an effort by President Donald Trump to rewrite the clear language of the United States Constitution guaranteeing the right to citizenship for all person born in the United States. The case was argued before the court by ACLU National Legal Director Cecillia Wang.

In response to the decision, Colleen K. Connell, Executive Director of the ACLU of Illinois, issued the following statement:

“The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution explicitly guarantees the right of citizenship to nearly all children born on U.S. soil. The 14th Amendment and its protection of birthright citizenship reflect the hard-won victory of the Civil War and the repudiation of the Supreme Court’s 1857 Dred Scott decision, which held that Black Americans were not citizens.

We are proud of our colleagues at the National ACLU – including our national legal director Cecillia Wang, who defended this fundamental principle before the Court. No Executive Order – from any President – can disregard the clear language and long history of the 14th Amendment. While we note the import of today’s decision, it is a reminder that this case is part of a larger attack by this Administration on a diverse, inclusive democracy. The ACLU will continue to fight for an American democracy that respects and protects the rights of all people.”