Oklahoma – U.S. Sen. James Lankford criticized the Supreme Court’s recent birthright citizenship decision, saying the ruling should push lawmakers to take action and arguing that American citizenship should not be obtained through what he described as “fraud or illegal actions.”
“Americans are proud of our country, and we are committed to upholding our laws,” Lankford said. “Oklahomans are rightly frustrated when someone breaks into our country to force us to give their children American citizenship.”
He added that “American citizenship is the greatest gift on Earth” and said it “should never be obtained through fraud or illegal actions.”
Lankford’s comments came after the Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump’s effort to limit birthright citizenship through executive action. The Court rejected the policy that sought to deny automatic citizenship to certain children born in the United States based on their parents’ immigration status.
The ruling reaffirmed the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause, which has generally been understood to grant citizenship to people born on U.S. soil, including children whose parents are not U.S. citizens.
The decision was closely divided, with the justices disagreeing over the scope of presidential authority and the constitutional protections surrounding birthright citizenship. The ruling blocked Trump’s attempt to change the policy through an executive order rather than through congressional action or a constitutional amendment.
Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, pointed to the split decision as another example of the country’s broader political divisions. He referenced the Court’s previous decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, saying he supported that ruling but disagreed with the Court’s latest decision on citizenship.
“The divided decision in the court reminds us again of the division in our nation. However, Americans honor our courts even when we disagree,” Lankford said.
Following the ruling, Lankford called for stronger laws that he said would prevent future administrations from changing border policies and argued that Congress should address concerns surrounding citizenship rules.
“President Trump has done extraordinary work to keep our borders safe and secure,” Lankford said. “But we need to pass stronger laws that will prevent a future administration from opening the border again.”
Supporters of the Supreme Court’s decision said the ruling preserved a constitutional guarantee that has been recognized for generations, while opponents argued that lawmakers should revisit current immigration and citizenship policies, Washington Post reported.
The ruling is expected to continue fueling debate in Washington over immigration enforcement, border security, and the future of birthright citizenship as lawmakers consider potential legislative responses.
Sen. Lankford responds to court ruling, says “Oklahomans are frustrated when someone breaks into our country to force us to give their children American citizenship”
