The Supreme Court is set to review President Trump’s proposed limits on birthright citizenship, sparking a heated debate over the constitutionality of his plan. The question at hand: Can federal judges block Trump’s proposal nationwide, or is it within his authority to redefine who qualifies as a U.S. citizen?
Challenging the 14th Amendment
On his first day in office, President Trump set forth a controversial plan to alter the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. Under his proposal, babies born in the U.S. would only be granted citizenship if at least one parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of birth. This move has sparked a series of legal battles, with three judges in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Washington state striking down Trump’s proposal as unconstitutional.
Supreme Court Showdown
Trump’s lawyers have taken the fight to the Supreme Court, arguing that federal district judges overstepped their bounds in issuing nationwide injunctions against the president’s plan. They have called for a more limited approach, urging the justices to rein in the power of lower courts to make sweeping rulings that impact the entire nation. The stakes are high, as a decision in Trump’s favor could pave the way for the enforcement of his new citizenship rules across the country, despite lingering doubts about their constitutionality.
As the May 15 arguments approach, the justices find themselves divided on the best course of action. Some have expressed concerns about district judges setting national policies, while others question the wisdom of implementing a constitutional change that varies from state to state. The Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling, expected by late June, promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over birthright citizenship in the United States.
