Boston Bar Association Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision Affirming Birthright Citizenship

BOSTON, MA – Today, the United States Supreme Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees citizenship to individuals born in the United States, reaffirming longstanding constitutional precedent and rejecting an attempt to alter that guarantee through executive action.

In response, Boston Bar Association President Suma V. Nair issued the following statement:

“Today’s decision, on the doorstep of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, reaffirms a longstanding constitutional principle and underscores the judiciary’s vital role in our system of checks and balances. It reminds us that the enduring strength of our constitutional system lies in its commitment to the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the orderly processes the Constitution provides for change.”

“As we stated shortly after the unconstitutional executive order at the heart of the case was issued, it rested on the premise that the Executive Branch could effectively rewrite the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court’s decision appropriately rejects that premise.

“The Constitution provides mechanisms for change, but those changes must occur through lawful constitutional processes. Whatever one’s views on the underlying policy issues, the rule of law depends on respecting those processes and the role of the courts in interpreting and applying the Constitution. This litigation should never have been necessary. At least it has been resolved in the right way, through the courts.

“The Boston Bar Association remains committed to the principles of constitutional governance, an independent judiciary, and equal justice under law.”

The Boston Bar Association is the Commonwealth’s premier legal institution, bringing together the brightest and most influential people to lead at the forefront of the profession. Our mission is to advance the highest standards of excellence for the legal profession, facilitate access to justice, foster a diverse and inclusive professional community, and serve the community at large.