Trump v. Barbara · ¶114

The debates went similarly with respect to the Roma people, who were referred to at the time as “gypsies.” When asked whether native-born Romani children would be birthright citizens of the United States under the proposed Civil Rights Act, Senator Trumbull replied: “Undoubtedly.” President Andrew Johnson apparently agreed. In his message vetoing the Act, Johnson noted with disapproval that, under the law, “the Chinese of the Pacific States, Indians subject to taxation, the people called gypsies, as well as the entire race designated as blacks,” would be birthright citizens. Without making any changes to the bill or responding that Johnson was mistaken in his understanding of it (or otherwise capitulating to Johnson’s views in any respect), Congress overrode that presidential veto.

slip opinion, revised 7/01/26
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