The 9th Circuit Court recently made a big decision: they said no to former President Donald Trump’s plan to stop automatic citizenship for babies born in the U.S. This is called birthright citizenship, and it means that if a baby is born in America, they are a citizen — no matter who their parents are.
What Is Birthright Citizenship?
Birthright citizenship comes from the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It’s a rule that has been around for more than 150 years. It says that anyone born in the United States is automatically a citizen. This is important because it means children don’t have to worry about their parents’ immigration status to be Americans.
What Did Trump Want to Change?
Donald Trump wanted to change this rule. He said that children born to parents who are in the country illegally should not automatically get citizenship. He tried to do this by using an executive order — a kind of order a president can make without needing Congress to vote on it.
But many people disagreed with Trump. They said the president cannot change something that is written in the Constitution. Only Congress, which makes the laws, can change citizenship rules.
The Court’s Decision
The 9th Circuit Court looked closely at Trump’s executive order and the law. They decided that the president does not have the power to change birthright citizenship. The judges said the 14th Amendment is clear: anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen.
Because of this, the court threw out Trump’s order and said it can’t be used. This means the rule about birthright citizenship stays the same for now.
Why This Matters to People
For many families, this decision was very important. It means their children are safe to be American citizens, no matter what. Supporters of the ruling say birthright citizenship is part of what makes America fair and welcoming to everyone.
Some people don’t agree, though. They think the law should change because they worry it encourages illegal immigration. But for now, the court has made it clear that the president cannot change citizenship rules by himself.
What Could Happen Next?
Trump’s team might try to take this case to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the country. But experts say the Supreme Court has usually supported birthright citizenship in the past. So, the 9th Circuit’s decision is likely to stand.
What This Means for America
This ruling shows how important the Constitution is in protecting people’s rights. It also reminds everyone that the president cannot change laws on a whim — there are limits to presidential power.
For now, children born in the U.S. will continue to be citizens, just like the law says. This decision brings peace of mind to many families who worry about their future in America.
