Key Facts

• Birthright citizenship grants automatic U.S. citizenship to nearly all babies born on American soil.
• This principle is based on the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, which states that anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a citizen.
• The rule applies regardless of the parents' immigration status, including unauthorized immigrants and temporary visitors.
• The Supreme Court decision is expected to impact millions of children and families across the country.
• About 3.6 million children are born in the U.S. each year, and their birth certificates serve as proof of citizenship for many benefits and legal rights.
• Thirty-two countries have similar birthright citizenship laws, mostly in the Western Hemisphere.
• Some countries, especially in Europe, have more restrictive citizenship laws based on parents' nationality rather than birthplace.
• President Trump issued an executive order at the start of his second term attempting to end birthright citizenship, challenging more than 100 years of legal tradition.