Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship, Rejects Trump's Executive Order

The Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting an executive order from former President Donald Trump that aimed to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily. The Justice Department stated its commitment to addressing illegal birth tourism and emphasized that individuals exploiting citizenship loopholes pose a national security threat. The court's opinion referenced the 1857 Dred Scott case, which was mentioned 48 times in the context of the ruling. Chief Justice John Roberts noted that the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 14th Amendment were designed to restore the understanding of citizenship that the Dred Scott decision had undermined. The Supreme Court also addressed speculation regarding Justice Samuel Alito's retirement, denying a report that he was stepping down. Additionally, the court will consider appeals regarding bans on semiautomatic rifles, with hearings expected in the fall. Various organizations, including the Institute for Free Speech and Interfaith Alliance, commented on the implications of the court's decisions on campaign finance and LGBTQ rights, respectively.