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The justices will consider the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented people and some temporary foreign visitors.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear a landmark case testing whether President Trump can limit birthright citizenship, the long-held principle that nearly all children born in the United States are automatically citizens.
The case focuses on the constitutionality of an executive order signed by Mr. Trump last year that would end citizenship for babies born on U.S. soil to undocumented immigrants and temporary foreign visitors.
A ruling in favor of the Trump administration could redefine what it means to be an American. It could also have sweeping practical consequences, stripping citizenship from more than an estimated 200,000 babies born in the United States each year to undocumented immigrants.
The executive order, which was blocked by lower courts and has never gone into effect, would only affect babies born in the future. Opponents say a decision to uphold it would create chaos and uncertainty for newborns and their parents, and cast doubt over the status of millions of people who have already benefited from birthright citizenship.
A decision is expected in the case by the end of June or early July.
Mr. Trump raised the stakes for the court by telling reporters during an event at the White House on Tuesday that he planned to attend Wednesday’s arguments in person.
No sitting president has attended a Supreme Court argument, and Mr. Trump’s presence in the courtroom would add to the drama for an already emotionally charged session. Mr. Trump had previously mused about attending court arguments, but has steered clear of them.
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