Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the future of birthright citizenship this week

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday morning in a case that could determine the future birthright citizenship.

It’s the latest in a legal battle surrounding an issue that has defined the second Trump administration, and it centers on the 14th Amendment, which states anyone born in the U.S. is a U.S. citizen.

But a Day 1 executive order signed by President Donald Trump last January sought to end that right for people whose parents are undocumented immigrants or in the U.S. on a temporary basis.

Almost two dozen states, including Arizona, filed suit. Now, the Supreme Court will decide whether the order violates the Constitution and subsequent federal law.

José Patiño is the vice president of education and external affairs with the immigrant advocacy group Aliento.

I just can’t help but wonder what would it mean if the Supreme Court sides or validates some of the Trump administration’s concerns,” he said. “Would families still be able to go to hospitals, would children become stateless?”

Patiño is a DACA recipient who’s spent most of his life in Phoenix. He says families in Arizona are asking those questions now, and Aliento is trying to help them by staying up to date on the latest court proceedings.

A Supreme Court ruling is expected by the beginning of July. Several lower courts have already ruled against the Trump administration in the case.

The executive order has not ever been able to take effect, but should a Supreme Court ruling change that, children born 30 days after the order’s start date would be impacted.