USCIS 128:97. What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?

OpenAI. (2026).  What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The 14th Amendment was approved by Congress on June 13, 1866, and ratified by the states on July 9, 1868. 

The 14th Amendment was created after the Civil War to protect the rights of people who had been enslaved. This amendment extended the freedoms and rights in the Bill of Rights to formerly enslaved people and helped make sure they were treated as full citizens under the law.

The 14th Amendment has five sections.  The first section includes four clauses that rights:

First, it explains citizenship. It says that people who are born (birthright citizenship) or naturalized in the United States are U.S. citizens. 

Next, it includes the Privileges or Immunities Clause. This means states cannot take away basic rights that belong to U.S. citizens.

It also has the Due Process Clause. This means the government must follow fair rules and laws before it can take away a person’s life, liberty, or property.

Another part is the Equal Protection Clause. This means the law must treat people fairly and equally.

In simple terms, the 14th Amendment defines citizenship and protects equal rights for all people under the law.