On the first day of Donald Trump's second term as president, he signed an order about a long-standing U.S. rule: most people born in the country are citizens. Trump's order said this rule, based on the 14th Amendment, should no longer apply to children of people who are in the U.S. illegally or temporarily. Federal judges quickly blocked the order, but the final decision will likely be made by the Supreme Court.
The U.S. is one of many countries, mostly in the Western Hemisphere, that offers birthright citizenship. This is less common in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The U.S. stands out because it’s the largest country with this rule, with hundreds of thousands of babies born each year to noncitizen parents.
Birthright citizenship started after the Civil War to give citizenship to formerly enslaved Black people. Over time, this law also applied to children of immigrant parents. While today’s debate may seem new, the U.S. has argued about birthright citizenship before.
00:00 A rule
2:23 Jus soli
3:13 Dred Scott
4:46 The 14th Amendment
8:02 Wong Kim Ark
10:30 Another look at the 14th Amendment
Sources and further reading:
Garrett Epps’s law review article about the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment has everything you’ll ever need to know about the history of birthright citizenship in the US article
The Library of Congress has a great map showing which countries of the world offer unconditional birthright citizenship like the US map
The 1861 map of the US we use a few times in the piece is itself a strikingly rich document that I could stare at forever 1861 map
Some other original documents we use in the piece:
Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship EO 14106
The Ipsos poll containing the question about support for ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants: IPSOS Survey
The Dred Scott decision article
President Andrew Johnson’s letter vetoing the 1866 Civil Rights Act article
Congress’s debates over the 14th Amendment (we quoted from page 498) debate
The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act article
The Wong Kim Ark decision article
Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com.
Practice Citizenship Interviews with Farsi-Speaking Americans
uscitizenpod: Citizenship Interview Quiz for Presidents’ Week 2017: Hushang Ansary (Iran) (pdf)
A citizenship multiple-choice quiz based on the N-400 Application for Naturalization plus 10 civics questions.
uscitizenpod: 2016 Spring Citizenship Interview with Ali Akbari (Iran/Malaysia) (mp3)
A practice citizenship interview recorded in honor of Persian New Year (2016)
uscitizenpod: A Basic Citizenship Interview with Pari Akibari (Esfahan, Iran) (mp3) (video)
A practice citizenship interview recorded in 2007. Note: N-400 Part 10 is now N-400 Part 12 and the Civics questions are obsolete (ex: George W Bush was the current president in 2007).
uscitizenpod: Citizenship Interview with Osman Nejat (Kabul, Afghanistan) (mp3) (video)
A short citizenship interview with "examiner" with Osman Nejat (Kabul, Afghanistan), the Citizenship and GED/HiSET teacher from New Haven Adult School. After the interview, Teacher Osman reflects on being bi-lingual and bi-cultural in America.
uscitizenpod: New US Citizen Sardar Habibi's report-back in Farsi video
Milpitas Adult School student, Sardar Habibi (formerly of Afghanistan) talks about his US Citizenship Interview on Thursday, March 7, 2011. (Also in English)
More ESL/Civics Resources in English and Farsi
ACLU: Immigrants' Rights: What To Do If Stopped (IN FARSI) (video)
ACLU: What To Do When Faced With Anti-Muslim Discrimination (in Farsi) (video) CA DMV: California Driver Handbook (pdf) CLINIC: 100 Civics Questions in Farsi (pdf)
ESL Library: Nauruz (Norooz) Festival (article)
In this lesson, students read about the Persian New Year's festival (New Day). They learn about the ceremonial table, and create their own in small groups. Students also learn idioms related to nature. Note: A number of different English spellings are used for this holiday. The UN recognizes March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz
John Q. Khosravi Law Firm (JQK Law Firm): Naturalization for Iranians (Farsi/Persian) سیتیزنشیپ وتابعیت امریکا برای ایرانیان (video)
More Citizenship and Immigration videos in English and Farsi at John Q. Khosravi Law Firm (JQK Law Firm) (YouTube channel)
K-vonComedy: Famous Comedian Explains PERSIAN NEW YEAR Perfectly (K-von on Nowruz) (video)
Want to learn about a new holiday? Persian New Year is in March. K-von breaks it down in this video w/ fun animation. Check out K-von on YouTube (especially his Cleaning for Nowruz videos and his trailer for the Nowruz movie) and his TEDx Talk.
LastLY: Nowruz 2021: Date, Significance, Celebrations Associated With The Persian New Year Or Navroze video Nowruz, also called Navriz, Navroz, Novruz, Nooruz, Nevruz & Nauryz, is a Persian word where 'Now' means 'new' and 'Ruz' means ‘day’. Hence, Nowruz signifies a new day. Nowruz is the Iranian New Year celebrated by the ethnic Iranian people. In India, the Parsi community celebrate Nowruz with full fervour. This year, it falls on Saturday, March 20. Nowruz holds great significance in the Iranian community. It is marked as the day King Jamshid was crowned as the King of Persia. People purchase new clothes and visit family and friends on this day. Nowruz is usually celebrated in the evening by performing certain rituals such as jumping over bonfires and lighting firecrackers. The celebrations also include family coming around the Haft sin table awaiting the moment of March equinox. Haft seen, also called Haft-seen (Persian For “Seven S’s”), is an arrangement of seven foods whose name start with 's' in Persian.
MedicinePlus: Health Information in Farsi (فارسی) (web page)
PARS Equality Center
Pprovides free or low-cost legal immigration services to qualified individuals. We provide community members with integration support by offering immigration education, representation and advocacy.
Quartz: Nowruz: How millions celebrate the Persian New Year (video)
During Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebration, each vibrant item on the haftseen table has its own symbolic meaning.
SSA: Social Security Resources in Farsi (web page)
TEDx Talks: Iran from a Different Lens | Maryam Ghadiri | TEDxPurdueU (video)
When only one side of a story is told, the truth can be blurred or completely disjointed. When Maryam arrived in the U.S. she encountered stereotypes and predisposed opinions causing her to hide her own identity as Iranian. She now describes how she rekindled the pride she once had for her motherland, Iran, through curating a photo exhibit that celebrates Iran's rich culture, diversity and beauty.
USIP: Iran Primer: Nowruz: Traditions for Persian New Year (article)
Ironically, the most widely celebrated holiday in the Islamic Republic of Iran long predates the official religion. Nowruz, literally “New Day” in Farsi, marks the first day of spring and the Persian New Year. The holiday, which falls on March 20 this year, is widely celebrated across the Middle East and Central Asia. VOANews: New in Farsi (web page)
News in Farsi from the Voice of America
VOANews: Iranian-Americans Nurture New Generations After Revolution (2019) (article)
Sharifan and others from her generation seek to build a connection to their Iranian heritage and culture among their American children and grandchildren.
VOANews: Iranians Prepare For Traditional New Year Celebrations (video)
Iranians around the world are preparing to celebrate their traditional new year, Nowruz, which falls on Thursday. The ancient tradition is also celebrated by Kurds and marks the arrival of spring. Zlatica Hoke reports.
VOANews: Iraq Norwuz (video) It's time for celebration in Iraq. Men and women rang in a new year, as millions of Kurdish people celebrated Nowruz. The celebration falls on the first day of spring, symbolizing the passing of the dark season and the arrival of the season of light. VOANews: Kurds Celebrate 'Nawroz' - New Years (video) Kurdish residents of the northern Syrian city of Kobani are marking the New Year festival Nawroz. Celebrations were held along the border with Turkey, where many of Kobani's citizens fled when the city came under attack by Islamic State militants. Video by VOA Kurdish service reporter Mahmoud Bali.
Northern California's 'Little Kabul' a Cultural Hub to One of America's Largest Afghan Communities video
Alameda County in California, known as a retreat for hippies four decades ago, has become home to one of the largest Afghan American communities in America. VOA's Saba Shah Khan takes us to one area known as "Little Kabul," now a cultural hub for the Bay Area's rapidly growing Afghan American population.
VOA Learning English: Once a US Soldier, Iranian Immigrant Now Serves Veterans (article, mp3, video)
Assal Ravandi knows service. First, as a soldier in the United States Army in Afghanistan. Now, as a soldier for soldiers at the organization she founded: Academy of United States Veterans. Read, listen to, and watch more great stories from VOA Learning English series: People in America
VOA Learning English: Mahsa, English Teacher in Iran, Talks About Spending Nowruz With Family (video of Skype interview)
Avi Arditti from VOA Learning English and Mehrnaz Sami from VOA's Persian Service (and an English teacher) talk to a Skype caller about the Persian New Year (2013)
VOA Learning Engish: Mohsen, Engineering Student in Iran, Talks About Nowruz (video of Skype interview)
Avi Arditti from VOA Learning English and Mehrnaz Sami from VOA's Persian Service (and an English teacher) talk to a Skype caller about the Persian New Year
VOA Learning English: Vernal Equinox: The Arrival of Spring (article)
An overview of many holidays associated with the Vernal Equinox (the Arrival of Spring) including Nowruz. Vox: Persian New Year, or Nowruz, explained for non-Persians (article)
Nanye'hi was a Cherokee woman born in 1738. She was called the "War Woman of Chota" because she fought in battle alongside her husband, Tsu-la. After Tsu-la died in battle, Nanye'hi led the Cherokee to victory.
The Cherokee honored her as a "Beloved Woman," a special title that gave her influence and leadership. She led the Women’s Council and served on the Cherokee General Council. Unlike European American women at the time, Nanye'hi had a political voice.
Although she was strong in battle, Nanye'hi, also known as Nancy Ward, spent her life working for peace between the Cherokee and Americans. At a peace treaty meeting in 1781, she urged for lasting peace, saying,
"You know that women are always looked upon as nothing;
but we are your mothers; you are our sons.
Our cry is for peace; let it continue.
This peace must last forever.
Let your women's sons be ours; our sons be yours.
Let your women hear our words."
Her heartfelt words helped secure a rare treaty that did not take away Cherokee land.
(edited from the video's transcript)
POP QUIZ:
USCIS 100: 59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
USCIS 100:87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
Does everyone have the right to a lawyer, no matter what crime they are accused of?
In 1961, Clarence Gideon was arrested in Florida for breaking into a building and stealing. He asked for a lawyer, but Florida law only provided lawyers for people charged with serious crimes like murder. Gideon was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. He believed this was unfair and claimed Florida had violated his 6th Amendment right to a lawyer.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear his case, *Gideon v. Wainwright*. In a 9-0 decision, the Court ruled that the 6th Amendment’s right to a lawyer applies to all states through the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause. This decision ensured that everyone accused of a crime has the right to a lawyer, even for less serious crimes.
A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of St Patrick's Day and Irish-American Heritage Month mp3 / pdf (10 Questions)
03. From 1820 to 1860, almost 2 million Irish immigrants came to America to escape "The Great Hunger." What is one reason colonists came to America?
Q4: The "Know-Nothings" (1850s) was a group of native-born Americans which tried to stop Irish immigration. The "Know-Nothings" thought that the Irish were “alien” and would not support US democracy because of their Catholic religion. The "Know-Nothings" became too violent and failed. The Irish persevered and overcame discrimination and exploitation. 100 years later, what movement tried to end racial discrimination?
It was standing room only inside the United States Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee on Tuesday as nearly 80 people from 39 different countries took the oath for American citizenship.
The state of Texas has the third-largest Asian American population in the U.S. Chinese Americans there have roots that trace back for generations. While the history of these Texans might not be as well known, their stories are just as intertwined with America’s. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee has the story.
Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mum Bett, escaped slavery in a way that was unusual: she took her case to court. She approached lawyer Theodore Sedgewick with this question: "I heard that paper read yesterday that says 'all men are born equal,' and that every man has a right to freedom ... won't the law give me my freedom?" Appealing to her natural rights and her rights under the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, she sued for her freedom and won.
60-Second Civics, Episode 5324, March 6, 2025 (a rebroadcast of Episode 4274: March 4, 2021)
Ona Judge escaped George and Martha Washington's household, where she was an enslaved housemaid, and made her way to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where she eluded George Washington's determined attempts to capture her. She made a new life for herself in New Hampshire, marrying and having three children. Her side of her remarkable story survives because she gave interviews to at least two abolitionist newspapers.
POP QUIZ:
USCIS 100:60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
USCIS 100:64. There were 13 original states. Name three.
USCIS 100:70. Who was the first President?*
USCIS 100:74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
Harriet Tubman Day is an American holiday in honor of the anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman, observed on March 10 in the whole country, and in the U.S. state of New York. Observances also occur locally around the U.S. state of Maryland.
Take a closer look at the life of escaped slave and American icon Harriet Tubman, who liberated over 700 enslaved people using the Underground Railroad.
Escaping slavery; risking everything to save her family; leading a military raid; championing the cause of women’s suffrage; these are just a handful of the accomplishments of one of America’s most courageous heroes. Janell Hobson details Harriet Tubman's many fights for freedom.
Lesson by Janell Hobson, directed by Yan Dan Wong.
POP Quiz
60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
92. Name one state that borders Canada.
73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
77. What did Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman do?
55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
Connect Historical Figures Life Lesson to Adult Students’ Lives through Generative AI Interviews (full article)
Immigrant students are required to learn about important American historical figures with whom they do not share a cultural or emotional connection. Putting the name and face of American hero on a classroom poster, street sign, or dollar bill is no guarantee that a student will understand the values and historical contributions that are being honored. The key is to find common experiences and struggles that resonate across culture. How many of our adult learners have been denied opportunities because of their country of origin just as Washington was denied a career in the British military because he was colonial-born? How many of our students are still walking, like Harriet Tubman, even though they have crossed over to a “free state?” Teaching students how to use generative AI tools may help students connect on multiple levels.
The initial lesson generated by Humy.AI-generated Harriet Tubman Interview was too juvenile in tone for an intermediate-level English literacy level adult students. Adapting the example from Google Applied Digital Skills: Introduction to Research and Interview a Person from History and supplementing with graphics from NPS.gov:Underground Railroad, more fully informed students of hard details of Tubman’s life. They began to see parallels between her escape and their own immigration journey. Students extended both the historical research and digital skills objectives by submitting the first two interview questions from the above Google Applied Digital Skills:Harriet Tubmanplus added their own clarification questions) to Humy AI Chat with Harriet Tubman which was able to convey to communicate the emotional content that was hidden behind the text and graphics. Because the novelty of using a generative AI chatbot exposed common ground of growth, loss, and the need to carry-on, students emerged from the Humy.AI interview (source: interview transcript) with a much deeper connection with their adopted culture, not only with the historical figure, Harriet Tubman, but with each other.
March is Women's History Month! All this month, 60-Second Civics will explain the struggle for equal rights for women and how our Constitution and laws evolved to make our nation a more representative democracy.
In this episode, A married woman living during the American colonial era would have lived under the legal doctrine called "coverture," where her legal identity was subsumed under that of her husband. William Blackstone wrote, "By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in the law: that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least is incorporated and consolidated into that of the husband: under whose wing, protection, and cover, she performs every thing." This was governed by colonial law before independence and state law after independence. It would not change substantially after the Revolution in most states, but divorce and child custody laws would change.
March is Women's History Month! All this month, 60-Second Civics will explain the struggle for equal rights for women and how our Constitution and laws evolved to make our nation a more representative democracy. In this episode, we briefly trace the struggle of women for equal voting rights in the United States.
American Muslims: A History Revealed video playlist; A series of six short documentary films that reveal and explore the early history of Muslims in America. The series is hosted by three leading American Muslim journalists: Malika Bilal, Aymann Ismail, and Asma Khalid. Over the course of the series, they travel the country to piece together stories spanning over 200 years. from the first Muslims to arrive as enslaved people from Africa to the establishment of early South Asian, Syrian-Lebanese, and Black American Muslim communities. The series weaves key moments in U.S. history with the unexpected but essential story threads of Muslims whose lived experiences offer us new insight into how race, religion, and nationality are intertwined in the American fabric.
.png)