Birthright Citizenship in the United States

Birthright Citizenship and Its Historical Roots The idea of birthright citizenship in the United States is deeply tied to its history of overcoming exclusion. It gained legal prominence after the Civil War, when the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868. This amendment was designed to protect the rights of formerly enslaved individuals, affirming their status as citizens. Birthright citizenship counteracted oppressive laws like the Dred Scott decision, which denied African Americans citizenship. Today, this principle continues to serve as a cornerstone of American democracy, reinforcing the idea that citizenship is a birthright, not a privilege subject to discrimination or arbitrary denial. Birthright Citizenship in the United States: Definition: Birthright citizenship is the policy under which individuals born on U.S. soil automatically acquire U.S. citizenship, regardless of their parents’…