Supreme Court hears arguments in birthright citizenship case

 

On April1,2026, the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara, a case examining the legality of President Trump's January2025 executive order to end automatic birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily. 

President Trump issued the order immediately after his second-term inauguration, arguing that the14th Amendment's "subject to the jurisdiction" clause does not apply to non-citizens.

 Lower federal courts blocked the order, prompting an appeal to the Supreme Court. Opponents claim the order violates the14th Amendment and over150 years of legal precedent, while the administration argues the amendment has been interpreted too broadly. 

This case marks the first time a sitting president attended oral arguments at the Supreme Court, with justices, particularly from the conservative majority, questioning both sides on the interpretation of the14th Amendment and the1884 case Elk v. Wilkins. A final decision is expected by the end of the term, around late June or early July2026.