Birthright citizenship advocates confident in SCOTUS hearing

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(The Center Square) — Advocates cheered after the Supreme Court heard a case to determine the constitutional validity of President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. 

Dozens of demonstrators came out to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, The Center Square observed a majority in support of birthright citizenship, and only two demonstrators from Chicago Flips Red in support of President Trump’s executive order. 

Trump signed the executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, to block birthright citizenship for children born on or after Feb. 19, 2025, to illegal immigrants or temporary residents. The arguments focused on the application of the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship to freed slaves. 

The 14th Amendment reads: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

“If you're here lawfully, you'll be subject under our jurisdiction, but if you’re a tourist,” Michael Hough, co-president of NumbersUSA, told The Center Square. “You come here, you have a child on, let’s say Guam, then that child's considered a US citizen. I mean, that's the complete distortion of the 14th Amendment.”

On the steps of the Supreme Court, dozens of protestors chanted in favor of birthright citizenship, at least five were dressed as the Statue of Liberty, while raising signs that read “Trump Must Go Now!” “The 14th Amendment Speaks for Itself,” “Birthright, Our Right,” and “Protect Birthright Citizenship.” 

After the arguments, lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union said they were “confident” the Supreme Court justices would overturn Trump’s executive order. 

“I was especially gratified that President Trump was sitting just six feet away from me,” said Anthony Romero, ACLU executive director. “I hope that he was schooled in the importance of birthright citizenship.” 

The president's attendance at the hearing made history, marking the first time a sitting president had attended a Supreme Court hearing. 

Zoe Leigh, co-founder of Chicago Flips Red, spoke to The Center Square on the steps of the Supreme Court, expressing support for Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship.

“He’s specifically fighting for us, us black Americans,” Leigh said. 

Advocates from Chicago Flips Red and NumbersUSA hope the Supreme Court will uphold Trump’s executive order, while birthright citizenship supporters hope the court will strike it down. 

“It’s too early to determine how the Court will rule on this issue, however Congress ultimately will need to decide the question of birthright citizenship,” Hough told The Center Square. “Congressman Brian Babin and Sen. Lindsey Graham have introduced legislation to clarify that the children of illegal aliens should not be given citizenship status in the future.”