US Catholic Bishops file legal challenge against Trump's 'immoral' order ending birthright citizenship

Image: Catholic Charities

Source: USCCB, US Supreme Court

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), have filed a Supreme Court brief opposing President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born in the US to parents without legal status or temporary visas.

Urging the Supreme Court to strike down the order, they say it is "immoral" and an affront to Catholic teaching on human dignity and justice.

The 29 page brief emphasises the pastoral and moral teachings of the Catholic Church, advocating for the protection of immigrants and the continuation of birthright citizenship as a fundamental right.

The brief underscores that birthright citizenship is not only a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment but also a crucial protection for the dignity and equality of all persons born in the US. It reflects the nation's commitment to justice and inclusion.

"The right to citizenship by birth is a fundamental safeguard that affirms the inherent dignity of every human being, regardless of their parents' immigration status."

The brief draws heavily on Catholic teaching, emphasising the Church's call to welcome the stranger, protect the vulnerable, and uphold human dignity. The bishops argue that ending birthright citizenship would harm immigrant families and children, contradicting Gospel values and the Church's social doctrine.

"Catholic social teaching calls us to stand with immigrants and refugees, recognizing their inherent worth and the contributions they make to our communities."

The brief highlights the real-life consequences of the executive order, including fear, instability, and marginalisation for immigrant families. It stresses the Church's pastoral mission to support and defend these communities.

"This policy threatens to fracture families and undermine the trust that is essential for the well-being of children and communities."

The brief argues that the executive order exceeds presidential authority and violates the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause, which grants citizenship to all persons born on US soil. It calls for the Court to uphold the constitutional guarantee.

"The Citizenship Clause is clear and unambiguous: all persons born in the United States are citizens. This executive order unlawfully attempts to override that fundamental right."

The USCCB's intervention reflects a long-standing commitment to immigrant justice, including advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform and protection of refugees.

This intervention by the Catholic Bishops is part of a broader pushback from religious and civil society leaders against the administration's immigration policies, highlighting the ethical and humanitarian concerns raised by attempts to restrict citizenship rights.

The bishops emphasise that protecting birthright citizenship aligns with America's identity as a nation of immigrants and a beacon of hope and justice.

The Catholic Bishops' brief is a powerful reminder that immigration policy is not just a legal or political issue but a deeply moral one. It calls on the Supreme Court to defend the rights and dignity of all children born in the US and to reject attempts to undermine constitutional protections.

Read the full Brief here: www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-365/399395/20260226144523582_25-365%20bsac%20United%20States%20Conference%20of%20Catholic%20Bishops.pdf