How Immigration Policies Like Birthright Citizenship Shaped the Supreme Court Justices’ Histories
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s father immigrated from Italy to New Jersey as a baby and later became a U.S. citizen, highlighting a personal connection to immigration history.
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s ancestors were enslaved in Georgia and only became citizens following the Civil War, reflecting a legacy tied to the nation’s struggle over citizenship and rights.
- Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.’s great-grandparents emigrated from what is now Slovakia to Pennsylvania, with his grandfather born before their naturalization, illustrating the principle of birthright citizenship.
- The nine Supreme Court justices will hear a pivotal case on whether birthright citizenship should apply to children born on U.S. soil to undocumented immigrants, potentially reshaping American identity and citizenship laws.
- The New York Times researched the justices’ family histories to highlight how evolving immigration laws and attitudes have influenced who is granted citizenship and the broader American narrative.
