Trump has said he thinks the Supreme Court will let him restrict birthright citizenship to bolster security along the southern border.

Trump Seeks Supreme Court Approval to Restrict Birthright Citizenship

President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold his executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship as a measure to enhance security along the southern border. The administration has formally requested the Court’s intervention following multiple lower court injunctions blocking the order’s implementation.

The Executive Order and Legal Challenges

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order stipulating that children born in the United States must have at least one parent who is either an American citizen or a lawful permanent resident to be granted citizenship. This move seeks to address concerns over illegal immigration and “birth tourism.” However, the order has faced legal opposition, with critics arguing it violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which grants citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil.

Federal judges in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Washington state have issued nationwide injunctions blocking the order, deeming it likely unconstitutional. The administration contends that these injunctions should be limited to the plaintiffs involved in the respective lawsuits, allowing the policy to be enforced elsewhere.

The Administration’s Argument

The Trump administration asserts that the longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to nearly all individuals born in the U.S., is incorrect. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argues that the president possesses the authority to rectify this perceived misinterpretation.

Implications and Next Steps

The Supreme Court’s decision on this matter will have significant implications for the interpretation of the 14th Amendment and the future of birthright citizenship in the United States. As the legal proceedings continue, the nation awaits clarity on this pivotal constitutional issue.