Trump v. Barbara · ¶452
If the Citizenship Clause set out specifically named exceptions to the general rule of citizenship by birth, our job would be easy; we would follow those exceptions. But the Citizenship Clause is framed differently. It sets out a general rule: Citizenship is not conferred upon a person born in the United States unless that person is also “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States. By its terms, that rule applies across the board. And when a legislative body chooses to adopt a generally worded rule, we apply it in all circumstances that fall within the rule, not just those that were on the minds of the legislators at the time of adoption. NLRB v. SW General, Inc., 580 U. S. 288, 306 (2017); On cale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc., 523 U. S. 75, 79 (1998); Brogan v. United States, 522 U. S. 398, 403 (1998). We approach constitutional interpretation similarly. Ante, at 5–7…Read in context ›
slip opinion, revised 7/01/26
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