SCOTUS, birthright citizenship and what’s a stake for education : NPR

Key Points:

• The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case that could narrow or end birthright citizenship, a right established by the 14th Amendment and affirmed 128 years ago, potentially affecting children born on or after February 20, 2025.
• If birthright citizenship is struck down, an estimated 255,000 U.S.-born children annually could be denied citizenship, impacting access to education, public services, and college opportunities, with projections reaching 4.8 million affected children by 2045.
• Public schools currently cannot deny K-12 education based on immigration status, as established by the 1982 Plyler v. Doe ruling, but recent political efforts aim to challenge this precedent, risking legal battles and reduced access for immigrant children.
• Immigration enforcement and fear around it have already caused increased school absences among immigrant children, and the potential end of birthright citizenship could exacerbate anxiety, reduce enrollment, and threaten funding for public schools.
• Eliminating birthright citizenship could disrupt access to Medicaid-funded services for disabled children and limit higher education opportunities, creating significant financial and social challenges for affected families and school districts.