JRS/USA Responds to Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship Decision
30 June 2026|Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)/USA welcomes today’s Supreme Court decision affirming birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In response to the Court’s ruling in Trump v. Barbara, JRS/USA President Kelly Ryan emphasized that every child born in the United States deserves equal protection under the law and that birthright citizenship remains a fundamental constitutional guarantee that protects human dignity and prevents discrimination.
This afternoon, in response to the Supreme Court’s decisions in Trump v. Barbara, JRS/USA President Kelly Ryan gave the following statement:
“We are immensely gratified that the Supreme Court today has affirmed the clear promise of birthright citizenship guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution: that children born in the United States are U.S. citizens.
“The 14th Amendment was enacted to repudiate one of the many injustices of slavery: that one could be born here, raised here, and know only this country as home yet still not enjoy the status of citizen. Today’s ruling affirms a constitutional principle that safeguards the dignity and rights of countless children born in the United States, and protects them from discrimination based on the immigration status of their parents.
“We believe as Americans and Catholics that we must never deny the dignity of the human person. Ending birthright citizenship would have done exactly that, creating an ever-growing underclass of stateless people without basic protections or opportunities.”
For Media Inquiries:
Bridget Cusick, JRS/USA VP of Marketing/Communications & Outreach
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Supreme Court decide about birthright citizenship?
The Supreme Court affirmed that birthright citizenship remains protected under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, preserving citizenship for children born in the United States.
What is birthright citizenship?
Birthright citizenship is the constitutional guarantee that nearly every person born in the United States automatically becomes a U.S. citizen under the 14th Amendment.
Why does JRS/USA support birthright citizenship?
JRS/USA supports birthright citizenship because it protects the dignity and rights of children born in the United States and helps prevent discrimination based on the immigration status of their parents.
Why is the 14th Amendment important?
The 14th Amendment established citizenship for people born in the United States and guarantees equal protection under the law. It was adopted after the Civil War to repudiate injustices rooted in slavery and remains a foundational constitutional safeguard.
How does this decision affect immigrant families?
The decision provides legal certainty that children born in the United States remain U.S. citizens, helping protect families from uncertainty and preserving constitutional rights regardless of a parent’s immigration status.
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