Americans largely split on who should have birthright citizenship: Survey

Americans are largely split on which groups of children they think should automatically become citizens, according to a new YouGov survey.

The survey, released Friday, includes 51 percent of respondents who support the view that “all children born in the U.S. should automatically become citizens.”

Meanwhile, 39 percent of respondents align with the view that “children born in the U.S. should automatically become citizens only if their parents are citizens,” and another 9 percent say they are not sure.

The results reveal a slight partisan divide. Those who say all children born in the U.S. should become citizens include 76 percent of Democrats, 54 percent of independents, and 26 percent of Republicans.

Those who support birthright citizenship only if their parents are citizens include 68 percent of Republicans, 33 percent of independents, and 16 percent of Democrats.

Generations are somewhat split on the issue as well, with younger respondents generally more supportive of a broad interpretation of birthright citizenship.

Among adults under 30, 71 percent support birthright citizenship for all children, and 20 percent support it only if their parents are citizens. Among 30- to 44-year-olds, 53 percent support it for all children, while 36 percent support it for children of citizens. Among 45- to 64-year-olds, only 38 percent support birthright citizenship for all children born in the U.S., while 52 percent support it for children of parents.

The trend pulls back among seniors of age 65 and older, with 51 percent supporting birthright citizen for all children born in the U.S. and 43 percent supporting it only for children of citizens.

President Trump, when entering office, issued an executive order restricting birthright citizenship for those born in the U.S. to noncitizen parents, leading to concerns on both sides of the political aisle and to a slew of lawsuits and several blocks from federal judges.

An appeals court recently also declined the Trump administration’s request to partially revive the president’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship.

The 14th Amendment, which states adopted in 1868, says that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

Still, some GOP lawmakers say it’s time to revamp the language, arguing it’s been exploited in a way the amendment’s framers never anticipated.

The survey included 1,124 U.S. adult citizens and was conducted Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, 2025. The margin of error is 4.1 percentage points.

Topics

Trump's dangerous theory on birthright citizenship contradicts the Founders' goals

By its own terms, the 14th Amendment applies to “all persons” born in the United States, disqualifying no one by parentage.
The Hill - 6d
Watch live: House holds hearing on birthright citizenship, 14th Amendment

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government will convene a hearing Tuesday afternoon looking into the connection between the 14th Amendment and President Trump's recent ...
The Hill - 5d
Many Americans don't trust the media to cover Trump: Survey

Most Americans in a new survey said they have little confidence that the news media can cover President Trump with fairness and accuracy. The YouGov poll, published Friday, found that 67 percent of ...
The Hill - Feb. 22
Many Americans are unaware of some heart disease risk factors, survey shows

Many Americans aren't aware of some of the biggest heart disease risk factors, according to a new survey from the Cleveland Clinic. CBS News' Michael George reports.
CBS News - 6d
Americans' trust in media at lowest point in 5 decades: Survey

Trust in mainstream media has reached its lowest point in over five decades, with only 31 percent of respondents trusting the media a great deal or a fair amount.
The Hill - 3d
Do you know these heart disease risk factors? Many Americans don't, survey finds.

Many Americans are unaware of the risk factors for heart disease, according to a recent survey from the Cleveland Clinic. Here's what to know.
CBS News - 6d
Most Americans in new survey support funding increases as Trump admin seeks cuts

Far more Americans support increasing federal funding in key areas than those who favor decreasing funding, according to a new survey, even as the Trump administration seeks sweeping cuts to ...
The Hill - 13h
2025 Oscars predictions: Who should win -- and who will win

Film critic Peter Travers shares his predictions on who will win and who should win at the 2025 Oscars.
ABC News - 17h
NASCAR admits it should have called a caution at end of Atlanta Xfinity race

The Xfinity race ended under green despite multiple cars crashing on the last lap.
Yahoo Sports - Feb. 23