Supreme Court to Hear Landmark Birthright Citizenship Case

Case challenges Trump-era limits on citizenship for babies of foreign tourists

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:52pm

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The Supreme Court will hear arguments on April 1 over whether President Donald Trump can limit birthright citizenship by executive order. The practice known as 'birth tourism' involves companies that have provided services to over 8,000 pregnant women seeking to give birth in the United States and obtain citizenship for their children.

Why it matters

This case could have far-reaching implications for the long-standing constitutional principle of birthright citizenship in the United States. A ruling against birthright citizenship would mark a major shift in immigration policy and citizenship laws.

The details

The Supreme Court case centers on the practice of 'birth tourism,' where companies have provided services to thousands of pregnant women seeking to give birth in the U.S. in order to obtain citizenship for their children. President Trump had previously issued an executive order seeking to limit birthright citizenship, which the Court will now evaluate.

  • The Supreme Court will hear arguments in this case on April 1, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who issued an executive order seeking to limit birthright citizenship.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States that will hear arguments and rule on the constitutionality of limiting birthright citizenship.

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What they’re saying

“This case could fundamentally reshape citizenship laws in the United States for generations to come.”

— Professor Sarah Binder, Constitutional Law Expert

What’s next

The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on this case before the end of its current term in June 2026.

The takeaway

The Supreme Court's decision in this case will have major implications for the future of birthright citizenship in the United States, a bedrock principle that has stood for over a century.