Supreme Court revisits birthright citizenship as Trump attends historic hearing
The US Supreme Court will hear arguments today on birthright citizenship, a case with rare public interest. Former President Donald Trump is set to attend as an observer—the first time a president has done so. The court's decision, expected by late June or early July, could reshape long-standing legal principles. The case centres on the 14th Amendment's clause granting citizenship to those born in the US and 'subject to its jurisdiction.' A key precedent is United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), which ruled that children born to non-citizen permanent residents are citizens. That decision relied on English common-law traditions and rejected racial exclusions after the Civil War.
Stephen Vladeck, a Georgetown Law professor, finds it unusual that the court took up the issue again so soon. They had considered a similar case last summer. He expects the justices to either strongly uphold birthright citizenship or seek a narrower ruling. Vladeck believes Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett will play decisive roles. He doubts Trump's presence will sway the arguments or the justices' behaviour. Instead, the focus will be on whether the court revisits *Wong Kim Ark* or finds a more limited solution.
The hearing marks a historic moment with Trump's attendance and the court's rare revisit of birthright citizenship. A ruling is due by early July. The outcome will clarify whether the 14th Amendment's interpretation remains unchanged or faces new limits.
