What does the 14th Amendment state about citizenship?

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1868, fundamentally established the principle of birthright citizenship. It explicitly states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States and of the state in which they reside. This amendment was a crucial part of the Reconstruction Amendments designed to address issues related to the aftermath of the Civil War, particularly the status of former slaves. By affirming that citizenship is extended to anyone born in the U.S. regardless of race or previous conditions of servitude, the amendment sought to ensure that all individuals enjoy equal protection under the law.

This provision was significant as it overturned previous legal restrictions that defined citizenship based on race or ethnicity, thus promoting inclusivity in the American legal framework. The 14th Amendment has shaped numerous court rulings and civil rights cases in American history, reinforcing the idea that citizenship cannot be denied based on race or origin.