Supreme Court's Next Move on Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order

Sat Nov 22 2025 16:06:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Supreme Court's upcoming deliberation on President Trump's controversial birthright citizenship order signals a critical moment in immigration policy, potentially reshaping definitions of citizenship in the United States.

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to meet privately to discuss President Trump's birthright citizenship order, which seeks to deny American citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants. This order challenges over a century of precedent established by the 14th Amendment and has faced opposition from several lower courts finding it likely unconstitutional. A definitive court ruling on this matter could arrive by early summer, influencing immigration enforcement policies nationwide.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a high-stakes meeting scheduled for Friday, the Supreme Court will discuss a major issue impacting U.S. immigration policy: President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship order which declares that children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents will not be granted American citizenship.

The implications of this order are vast, potentially altering a more than 125-year understanding that the Constitution’s 14th Amendment automatically confers citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, with very few exceptions.

The court could announce as early as Monday whether they will consider Trump's appeal, following several lower court rulings that have uniformly invalidated these citizenship restrictions. As it stands, the order has yet to take effect anywhere in the U.S.

If the court agrees to hear the case, arguments are expected in the spring, leading to a decisive ruling by early summer.

This birthright citizenship policy is part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy instituted by the Trump administration, which includes enhanced immigration operations in various cities and the controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations.

Currently, the administration faces multiple legal challenges, resulting in mixed messages from the Supreme Court regarding immigration policies. While some deportation practices have been suspended, others, like sweeping immigration stops, have been allowed to continue.

Given the sensitivity surrounding birthright citizenship, particularly regarding its historical context ensuring citizenship for Black Americans post-Civil War, the 14th Amendment’s meaning is a focal point of contention. Legal advocates from the American Civil Liberties Union have indicated readiness to contest these policies vigorously in court.

The Trump administration claims the policy is essential for national security, arguing that it would prevent undeserving individuals from obtaining citizenship. However, opponents label the birthright citizenship order as unconstitutional and detrimental to the core values of the American legal system.

As the legal battles unfold, the potential ramifications of a Supreme Court ruling could redefine fundamental aspects of citizenship and immigration policy in the United States.