U.S. Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship and permits state bans on transgender athletes

On 30 June the U.S. Supreme Court issued several high‑profile rulings. In a 6‑3 decision the Court rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, holding that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to virtually all persons born on U.S. soil. Chief Justice Roberts wrote that only children of diplomats or enemy occupiers are excluded.

In a separate 6‑3 ruling the Court affirmed that states may bar transgender women and girls from competing on women’s sports teams, siding with laws in West Virginia and Idaho. The majority said the statutes comply with the Constitution and Title IX, emphasizing biological differences as a basis for separate competition.

The Court also struck down a federal limit on coordinated campaign spending, finding it violated the First Amendment. The decisions were announced together, marking a conservative‑leaning majority’s influence on citizenship, gender‑based sports policy and election law.