Supreme Court Considers Landmark Citizenship Case

Oral arguments began this morning at the Supreme Court in a case with the potential to significantly alter the understanding of birthright citizenship in the United States. The case could result in birth certificates no longer being sufficient proof of citizenship for some individuals.

President Trump Attends Arguments

Former President Donald Trump arrived at the Supreme Court this morning, becoming the first sitting president to attend oral arguments before the court. He is seeking to have the justices uphold his executive order, issued on his first day in office, which aimed to eliminate birthright citizenship.

The Core of the Legal Challenge

Trump’s executive order, and the current case, rests on a novel interpretation of the 14th Amendment. The argument centers on requiring parents to demonstrate their own legal status before citizenship can be granted to their children born in the U.S.

ACLU Response to Trump’s Presence

Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), released a statement responding to Trump’s attendance. Romero stated, “I will watch the ACLU school him in the meaning of the Constitution and birthright citizenship.”

Romero Emphasizes Constitutional Duty

Romero further emphasized the court’s role, saying, “Any effort to distract from the gravity and importance of this case will not succeed. The Supreme Court is up to the task of interpreting and defending the Constitution even under the glare of a sitting president a couple dozen feet away from them.”

Solicitor General Presents Argument

Solicitor General D. John Sauer began presenting arguments to the court, contending that the long-held understanding of the 14th Amendment is incorrect. He argued the amendment’s citizenship clause was specifically designed to grant citizenship to formerly enslaved people and their children.

Historical Context of the 14th Amendment

“The citizenship clause was adopted just after the Civil War to grant citizenship to the newly freed slaves and their children whose allegiance to the United States had been established by generations of domicile,” Sauer stated. He continued, “Here, it did not grant citizenship to the children of temporary visitors or illegal aliens who have no such allegiance.”