Citizenship Clause

The Citizenship Clause is part of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868. It grants all individuals born or naturalized in the United States the right to U.S. citizenship, ensuring that citizenship is not limited by race, nationality, or previous status. This clause was designed to establish equal citizenship rights for former slaves and their descendants, making it clear that anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a citizen, regardless of their parents' background. It has been central to defining and protecting citizenship rights in the U.S. legal system.