Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship Amidst Political Divide

The Supreme Court recently nullified President Trump’s executive order that sought to limit birthright citizenship. This decision reaffirms the constitutional guarantee that nearly all children born in the United States are citizens.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted last week revealed that 55 percent of Americans oppose ending birthright citizenship. This sentiment is largely supported by Democrats, with 72 percent against ending the practice. More than half of political independents and 38 percent of Republicans also favor protecting this right.

The Republican Party shows a significant divide on this issue. Republicans aligned with the MAGA movement generally favor ending birthright citizenship. However, those who do not identify with the movement tend to oppose ending the practice, as highlighted by a Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll from April.

Support for birthright citizenship crosses many demographic lines. Majorities of white, Black, and Hispanic Americans oppose ending it, along with individuals across different age and income groups.

American views on birthright citizenship have shifted over the past three decades. In the 1990s, opinions were more divided. In contrast, the last 15 years have shown consistent support for maintaining the constitutional right.

The Times features high-quality polling data occasionally to provide insight into public opinion on various issues. These polls are recognized for their accuracy and rigorous methodology.

Ruth Igielnik, a Times polling editor, is responsible for conducting, analyzing, and reporting on these poll results.