Why the US supreme court’s birthright ruling brings only partial relief
There is anger the decision was not unanimous, and worry that dissenting justices have given weight to fringe theories
TL;DR
- The Supreme Court affirmed birthright citizenship in a 6-3 ruling, preventing over 250,000 children annually from being born without citizenship.
- The decision averted a crisis by upholding the principle that almost everyone born on US soil is a citizen.
- Anger and worry stem from the ruling not being unanimous, as three conservative justices dissented.
- Justice Kavanaugh's concurring opinion stated the executive order ran counter to federal law but did not violate the 14th Amendment.
- Immigrant rights advocates expressed dismay that this is one setback in President Trump's broader immigration policies.
- The Trump administration has enacted over 700 immigration restrictions, impacting asylum seekers, legal permanent residents, and net migration.
- The ruling offers a glimmer of hope amidst concerns of the US moving towards an "authoritarian, white supremacist autocracy."
- Monica, an asylum seeker, expressed relief and a desire to document her family's fight for their son's citizenship.