What’s going on: Yesterday, Supreme Court justices appeared to channel Pyrrho, questioning whether President Donald Trump’s order limiting birthright citizenship is constitutional. At the crux of the case: On day one back in office, Trump signed an executive order to end citizenship for babies born in the US to undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors. It was quickly blocked by lower courts, and never took effect. Critics and judges alike said the idea clashed with the country’s founding principles, specifically the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868. While conservative justices were skeptical of the administration’s arguments, they were also tough on the ACLU lawyer who challenged the order. Upping the ante, Trump became the first sitting president to attend oral arguments, putting unprecedented pressure on a court he’s had a tense relationship with since the justices struck down his tariffs in February.
What it could mean: The Justices are expected to rule in June or July. While analysts say the court seemed ready to strike down this attempt from Trump, if it does side with him, the ripple effects would be astronomical — and expensive. Roughly 200,000 babies born each year could be denied citizenship going forward. One estimate suggests 6.4 million US-born kids could lack legal status by 2050. That would not only hurt those families, but carry an unknown toll — the loss of what they could contribute to the country, like immigrants before them. And while it would only impact future children, critics say it could cast new doubt on the status of millions of people. That’s the real human toll.
