Western State Professor Sandra Rierson was recently featured in an article titled “Is Citizenship a Birthright?” in The Journal. She provided expert legal insight on the historical and constitutional foundations of birthright citizenship. Building on her 2023 article published in the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal, Rierson traced the debate back to the Dred Scott decision and the Civil Rights Act of 1866, discussing how the 14th Amendment was designed to ensure citizenship could not be denied based on race or ancestry. Her thoughtful analysis highlights the enduring impact of historical precedent on today’s immigration and citizenship debates.
Read the article, here.