ILJ Network celebrates the Supreme Court’s decision released today on the issue of birthright citizenship. In a 6-3 holding, the Supreme Court ruled that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to children born in the United States, and that President Trump is not above the U.S. Constitution.
For over 150 years, the 14th Amendment has provided an essential American promise that everyone born here is a full and equal American, regardless of their race, religion, or family circumstances. This principle has defined us as a country and has been upheld by courts multiple times.
“The Trump administration has targeted immigrants since his first day in office, and his efforts to eliminate birthright citizenship with a stroke of a pen are at the center of his cruel and lawless agenda to create a permanent underclass of people,” states ILJ Network Co-Executive Director Melissa Bowe.
“The Administration knows eliminating birthright citizenship wouldn’t solve any immigration challenges,” she adds. “The goal was to instead fuel discrimination, confusion, and deep harm to immigrant families and communities.”
Today’s Supreme Court decision echoes what we all know already—this kind of government-engineered exclusion is unconstitutional, un-American and morally indefensible.
ILJ Network will continue to fight for the rights of all people in this country, rights which must be honored and preserved regardless of who holds public office.