Rogers Smith on Birthright Citizenship

Rogers Smith

The American concept of birthright citizenship rests on the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment from 1868 reads as follows:

“All persons born or naturalized in the U.S., and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”

Rogers Smith, constitutional law scholar and Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Political Science, recently discussed the intricacies surrounding birthright citizenship. Smith, also president of the American Political Science Association, centers his research on constitutional law and American political thought. He also focuses on modern legal and political theory, with special interests in questions of citizenship, race, ethnicity, and gender. 

Read the conversation here.

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