1. United States
2. S.D.
3. Letter

The 14th Amendment's guarantee of birthright citizenship is a foundational American principle that should not be undermined. Ending this constitutional right would create a permanent underclass and disproportionately impact communities of color. The 1898 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark affirmed that the children of immigrants, even those unable to naturalize, have a constitutional right to citizenship if born on U.S. soil. Overturning this long-standing precedent would be an extreme and likely unconstitutional step. While there are rare exceptions for children of diplomats or enemy occupiers, trying to categorically deny citizenship to children of temporary visa holders or undocumented immigrants goes against American values of equality and inclusion. The United States was built by generations of immigrants, and birthright citizenship allows their children to fully participate in society. Preserving this unifying principle is vital for protecting civil rights and strengthening the nation.