Supreme Court affirms birthright citizenship in ruling on 14th Amendment

The Supreme Court ruled last week that nearly all babies born on U.S. soil are citizens under the 14th Amendment. The decision came on the final day of the court's term and addressed challenges to birthright citizenship.

Descendants discuss historical ruling Lynne Jackson, great-great-granddaughter of Dred Scott, and Charlie Taney, great-great-grandnephew of former Chief Justice Roger Taney, spoke at St. Mark's Episcopal Church near the Supreme Court. The pair discussed the 1857 Dred Scott decision, which held that enslaved people were not citizens.

Charlie Taney said his family is proud of its history but noted that Roger Taney authored what is commonly thought of as the single worst decision in the history of the Court.

Court addresses citizenship arguments In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that citizenship is the right to have rights and to freely participate in the political community. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a separate opinion stating that the 14th Amendment did more than overturn the Dred Scott ruling.

Three justices dissented, arguing that the 14th Amendment was intended to apply to freed slaves and their children.

Political responses continue President Trump and allies in Congress have said they will continue efforts to limit citizenship. Charlie Taney said he hopes future generations will not face the same difficulties he experienced when the Dred Scott case was discussed. Lynne Jackson said forgiveness was straightforward for her and that the pair's relationship could serve as a model for the country.