Solicitor General John Sauer, representing the administration, opened the arguments by saying that "unrestricted birthright citizenship contradicts the practice of the overwhelming majority of modern nations." "It demeans the priceless and profound gift of American citizenship," Sauer said. The executive order, a lower court in New Hampshire found, violated citizenship language in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment, as well as a federal law codifying birthright citizenship rights. Groups of demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse, some holding anti-Trump signs reading "Trump must go now," "hands off birthright citizenship" and "Don't let Trump change the Constitution, don't give him more power." The administration has asserted that the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" means that being born in the United States is not enough for citizenship.

Source: CBC News April 01, 2026 20:07 UTC