Opinion

JONATHAN TURLEY: Birthright citizenship ruling leaves conservatives with only one path

Chief Justice Roberts wrote that the 14th Amendment extends citizenship to every free-born person on US soil, with Thomas and Gorsuch dissenting

By Jonathan Turley Fox News

Published June 30, 2026 2:14pm EDT

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Jonathan Turley analyzes Supreme Court justices' independent voting records

George Washington University Law professor Jonathan Turley discusses conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett's voting record on the Supreme Court, highlighting her independent decision-making.

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Today, Folarin Balogun secured a spot on the American soccer team for the World Cup... for a second time.

That may be the most positive spin I can offer to those upset by today's 5-4 decision in favor of birthright citizenship. Balogun, one of the stars on our team, was born to Nigerian parents visiting the United States and then raised in England.

According to the Supreme Court, he is — and was always intended to be — a citizen under the 14th Amendment.

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It is a conclusion that divided the court 5-4, but, as in soccer, a one-point win is as good as a nine-point win.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority that "The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to 'every free-born person in this land.' We keep that promise today."

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The victory for birthright citizenship was due to the joining of Roberts (who authored the decision) and Justice Amy Coney Barrett with the three liberal justices.........

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