Johnson Signals New Legislative Push to End Birthright Citizenship
For decades, conservatives have argued that one of America’s biggest immigration loopholes has been hiding in plain sight.
Every election cycle, politicians promise to secure the border.
Yet one policy that critics say continues to encourage illegal immigration has remained largely untouched, despite years of public frustration and repeated legal battles.
Now, after a major Supreme Court setback, Republican leaders say the fight is not over.
In fact, they believe it may be entering its most consequential phase yet.
Speaking on Fox News, Johnson said Republicans are actively examining every available option to restore what they believe was the original meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment.
“I really enjoyed Justice Clarence Thomas’ dissent. Everybody should read that,” Johnson said.
“He explained that the 14th Amendment, the original intent, was to enhance and really value citizenship, and it’s been devalued because of birthright tourism, which is what we have now.”
“It’s a threat to the rule of law and national security.”
“We do need to address it. We’re looking at all angles. If there’s some legislative fix, we’ll advance that immediately.”
Johnson’s comments come just days after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against the Trump administration’s effort to end automatic birthright citizenship through executive action.
The majority held that children born on U.S. soil remain citizens regardless of their parents’ immigration status, relying on more than a century of legal precedent dating back to the Court’s 1898 decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark.
President Trump immediately called on Congress to act.
“The Supreme Court upheld Birthright Citizenship, which is too bad for our Country, but we can easily make it up in Congress through Legislation,” Trump wrote on Truth Social after the ruling.
The president argued that lawmakers should begin work immediately, insisting that “no long and unwieldy Constitutional Amendment is necessary.”
Johnson echoed that urgency, saying House Republicans are evaluating every possible legislative avenue.
Conservatives argue that birthright citizenship has evolved far beyond what the Reconstruction Congress intended when it adopted the Fourteenth Amendment after the Civil War.
They point to the amendment’s language granting citizenship to those “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States, arguing that phrase was never intended to include the children of illegal immigrants or temporary visitors.
Justice Clarence Thomas made that case forcefully in his dissent.
“I am not sure that today’s opinion will stand the test of time,” Thomas wrote.
“The Citizenship Clause added greatly to the dignity and glory of American citizenship. Today’s opinion devalues that citizenship.”
Justice Samuel Alito also dissented, arguing that the Court’s modern interpretation extends well beyond the original public understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Supporters of reform argue the current system has created a powerful incentive for illegal immigration and birth tourism, with foreign nationals traveling to the United States specifically so their children will automatically receive American citizenship.
Republicans contend that those practices undermine both immigration enforcement and the value of citizenship itself.
The debate now shifts from the courts to Congress.
Some Republicans believe legislation redefining who is “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States could survive judicial review.
Others believe a constitutional amendment would ultimately be required, though that path would demand overwhelming support in both Congress and the states.
Regardless of the legal route, Johnson’s remarks make one thing clear: House Republicans are not treating the Supreme Court’s decision as the final word.
Instead, they view it as the beginning of a new legislative battle over one of the most consequential immigration issues in modern American politics.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
