Birthright citizenship is automatic for individuals born in the United States and is protected by which amendment?

• A. It is protected by the 10th Amendment.
• B. It is protected by the 1st Amendment.
• C. It is protected by the 19th Amendment.
• D. It is protected by the 14th Amendment.

Answer: (C)

Birthright citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment. Its Citizenship Clause states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States. This means someone born in the U.S. generally becomes a citizen at birth, with the main exception being children of foreign diplomats who aren’t subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The other amendments listed don’t address citizenship at birth—the 10th deals with states’ powers, the 1st protects basic freedoms, and the 19th grants voting rights to women. So the 14th Amendment is the correct protection for birthright citizenship.