Front Burner

The end of birthright citizenship?

Donald Trump’s bid to end birthright citizenship — a cornerstone of American citizenship — received a favourable ruling from the Supreme Court last week. How could the end of birthright citizenship remake America?
Several people hold a large banner which says 'Birthright citizenship, as they stand before the steps of an august building.
Demonstrators holds a banner during a citizenship rally outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (Jose Luis Magana/The Associated Press)

For at least the last decade U.S. President Donald Trump has discussed his desire to end the practice of birthright citizenship. On his first day back in office Trump passed an executive order looking to exclude the children of undocumented people from birthright citizenship completely: an action that was immediately challenged in lower courts across the country. 

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered Donald Trump a major victory, limiting the power of lower courts to challenge the President's executive actions. 

Isabela Dias is an immigration reporter with Mother Jones, and has reported extensively on birthright citizenship. She joins the show to discuss the impact of the Supreme Court's decision, Trump's changing definition of 'citizen,' and what the end of 160 years of birthright citizenship would mean for all American citizens. 

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