Colorado AG Affirms Birthright Citizenship Protected Despite Supreme Court Ruling

Key Takeaways

• Supreme Court limits federal courts blocking Trump’s birthright citizenship order nationwide, effective June 27, 2025.
• Birthright citizenship remains protected in Colorado and 21 other states through pending legal challenges.
• The order enforces citizenship only if one parent is U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision that could change how birthright citizenship is handled across the United States 🇺🇸. This ruling limits the power of federal district courts to stop federal policies nationwide, which means the Trump administration’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship can now be enforced in some states. However, Colorado stands out as one of the 22 states where birthright citizenship remains protected, thanks to earlier legal action. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and what it means for families, immigrants, and legal experts across the country.

What Happened: The Supreme Court’s Ruling and the Executive Order

On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order that tries to change who gets citizenship at birth in the United States 🇺🇸. The order says that children born in the country will only be given citizenship if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (someone with a green card). This is a big shift from the long-standing rule under the 14th Amendment, which says that anyone born in the United States 🇺🇸 is a citizen, no matter who their parents are.

The Supreme Court’s decision on June 27, 2025, does not directly say whether the executive order is legal or not. Instead, it says that federal district courts can no longer block federal policies across the whole country with a single ruling. This means that the executive order can now be enforced in states that have not blocked it through their own lawsuits.

Colorado’s Position: Birthright Citizenship Remains Protected

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Colorado’s Attorney General has made it clear that birthright citizenship is still protected in Colorado. This is because Colorado, along with 21 other states and the District of Columbia, challenged the executive order in court earlier this year. Their legal action led to a court order that blocks the executive order from being enforced in those states.

Governor Polis of Colorado has spoken out against the Supreme Court’s decision, saying it threatens important constitutional rights. He stressed that Colorado will continue to protect birthright citizenship for all children born in the state, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

How the Supreme Court Ruling Changes Things

Before this ruling, if a federal court said a policy was illegal, it could stop the policy from being used anywhere in the country. Now, the Supreme Court says that courts can only block policies in the states or areas where the lawsuit was filed. This means:

• In 22 states and the District of Columbia: Birthright citizenship is still protected because these places have court orders blocking the executive order.
• In 28 other states: The Trump administration’s executive order could now be enforced, possibly denying citizenship to children born to non-citizen parents.

What Is Birthright Citizenship?

Birthright citizenship means that anyone born in the United States 🇺🇸 automatically becomes a U.S. citizen, no matter who their parents are. This rule comes from the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was adopted in 1868. The 14th Amendment says, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

For over 150 years, this rule has been clear: if you are born in the United States 🇺🇸, you are a citizen. The Trump administration’s executive order is the first major attempt to change this rule through an executive order, rather than through a change to the Constitution or a new law from Congress.

Why Is This Happening Now?

Supporters of the executive order say that it is needed for immigration reform and national security. They argue that the current rule encourages people to come to the United States 🇺🇸 just to have children who will automatically become citizens, sometimes called “birth tourism.” They believe that changing the rule will help control immigration.

Opponents, including many legal experts and civil rights groups, say that the executive order is unconstitutional. They argue that the 14th Amendment clearly protects birthright citizenship and that changing this rule would harm thousands of families, especially those with immigrant parents. Cecillia Wang, the ACLU’s National Legal Director, called the Supreme Court’s decision “deeply wrong” and promised to keep fighting the executive order in court.

How Many People Are Affected?

The exact number of children who could lose citizenship under the executive order is not clear, but it could be thousands each year. In the 28 states where the order could now be enforced, children born to parents who are not citizens or green card holders may not be given U.S. citizenship at birth. This could create a group of children who are born in the United States 🇺🇸 but are not recognized as citizens, which would affect their rights, access to services, and future opportunities.

What Should Families Do Now?

If you or your family could be affected by the executive order, here are some important steps to take:

1. Check Your State’s Status: Find out if you live in one of the 22 states (including Colorado) or the District of Columbia where birthright citizenship is still protected. You can check with your state government or visit Colorado’s official government website for more information.
2. Get Legal Advice: If you are unsure about your rights or your child’s citizenship status, talk to an immigration attorney. They can help you understand the latest rules and what steps you can take to protect your family.
3. Stay Informed: The legal situation is changing quickly. Lawsuits are still ongoing, and there may be new court decisions or changes in policy in the coming months. Follow trusted sources like the ACLU or your state’s attorney general for updates.

Legal Challenges and Ongoing Lawsuits

The fight over birthright citizenship is far from over. The ACLU and other groups are still challenging the executive order in court, arguing that it violates the 14th Amendment. Oral arguments in these cases are scheduled for August 1, 2025. Many legal experts believe that the Supreme Court may eventually have to decide whether the executive order is constitutional.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the Supreme Court’s recent decision is a setback for those who want to protect birthright citizenship nationwide. However, the ongoing lawsuits in the protected states show that the legal battle is not finished, and there is still hope for those who oppose the executive order.

What Are the Arguments on Each Side?

• Supporters of the Executive Order: They say that the current rule encourages illegal immigration and that only children of citizens or legal residents should get citizenship. They believe this change will help protect the country’s borders and reduce abuse of the system.
• Opponents of the Executive Order: They argue that the 14th Amendment clearly protects birthright citizenship and that changing the rule would hurt innocent children and families. They also say that the executive order is an attack on constitutional rights and could create a group of stateless children.

What Does This Mean for Colorado and Other Protected States?

In Colorado and the other 21 states (plus the District of Columbia) that have blocked the executive order, nothing changes for now. Children born in these states will still be recognized as U.S. citizens at birth, no matter their parents’ status. The Attorney General of Colorado has reassured families that their rights are safe, at least while the court order remains in place.

Governor Polis has also promised to keep fighting for the rights of all Coloradans, saying that the state will not back down from protecting birthright citizenship.

What About the Rest of the Country?

In the 28 states where the executive order could now be enforced, families face a lot of uncertainty. Hospitals, state agencies, and federal officials may start following the new rule, which could mean denying citizenship to some newborns. This could lead to confusion, legal battles, and hardship for families who suddenly find out their children are not considered citizens.

What’s Next? Future Developments and Possible Changes

• Ongoing Court Cases: The ACLU and other groups will continue to fight the executive order in court. The next big hearing is set for August 1, 2025.
• Possible Congressional Action: Some lawmakers may try to pass new laws about birthright citizenship, but this would be very difficult. Changing the 14th Amendment would require approval from two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states, which is unlikely.
• State Actions: Other states may try to join the legal fight to protect birthright citizenship, or they may pass their own laws to clarify who gets citizenship at birth.

How Can You Stay Updated and Informed?

• Follow Official Sources: For the latest information on the Supreme Court and legal cases, visit the U.S. Supreme Court’s official website.
• Check with State Agencies: Your state’s government website will have updates on how the rules are being enforced locally.
• Contact Legal Organizations: Groups like the ACLU offer resources and legal help for families affected by immigration changes.

What Are the Practical Effects for Stakeholders?

• Immigrant Families: The biggest impact is on families with parents who are not citizens or green card holders. In some states, their children may no longer be recognized as citizens, which affects everything from getting a passport to going to school.
• Hospitals and State Agencies: These organizations will need to figure out how to apply the new rules, which could lead to confusion and mistakes.
• Lawyers and Advocates: Immigration attorneys and civil rights groups will be busy helping families understand their rights and fighting for protections in court.

Summary and Takeaways

• Birthright citizenship is still protected in Colorado and 21 other states, plus the District of Columbia, thanks to successful legal challenges.
• The Supreme Court’s ruling means the Trump administration’s executive order can now be enforced in 28 states, possibly denying citizenship to children born to non-citizen parents.
• Legal battles are ongoing, with the next major court hearing set for August 1, 2025.
• Families should check their state’s status, seek legal advice, and stay informed about changes in the law.
• The future of birthright citizenship in the United States 🇺🇸 remains uncertain, but many states and legal groups are fighting to protect this constitutional right.

For more information about your rights and the latest updates, visit the U.S. Supreme Court’s official website or your state government’s site. If you have questions about your family’s status, talk to a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible.

Learn Today

Birthright Citizenship → Automatic U.S. citizenship granted to anyone born in the United States under the 14th Amendment.
Executive Order → A directive issued by the President to manage operations of the federal government, affecting policy enforcement.
Federal District Court → A trial-level court where lawsuits challenging federal policies are initially heard and decided.
14th Amendment → A constitutional provision guaranteeing citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States.
Lawful Permanent Resident → A non-citizen authorized to live and work permanently in the United States, holding a green card.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Supreme Court’s June 2025 ruling limits blocking federal policies nationally, allowing Trump’s birthright citizenship order in some states. Colorado, among 22 states, protects this right. Ongoing legal battles continue with a key hearing on August 1, 2025, affecting immigrant families’ citizenship rights nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com