A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in April has revealed that American adults are largely divided on the issue of birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who immigrated illegally.
According to the survey, 50% of U.S. adults support granting citizenship to these children, while nearly as many, 49%, oppose it.
In stark contrast, overwhelming majorities believe that children born in the U.S. to citizens (95%) or to parents who immigrated legally (94%) should automatically receive citizenship.
Interestingly, attitudes toward birthright citizenship for various groups appear stable since similar polling conducted in August 2024.
The basis for this contentious topic lies in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which has guaranteed citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil since its ratification in 1868, regardless of their parents’ legal status.
Recent political developments have intensified the national conversation about this provision. In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are unlawfully in the U.S. or to those on temporary visas, such as students or tourists.
This executive order has faced legal challenges, with several federal judges blocking its enforcement nationwide. The case is now under review by the Supreme Court, which is expected to issue a ruling by early summer of this year.
The Pew Research Center conducted this survey to capture U.S. adults’ opinions regarding birthright citizenship and strived for comprehensive representation in its methodology.
The analysis surveyed 3,589 adults between April 7 and April 13, 2025, members of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an entity that draws participants through random national sampling. Interviews were conducted online or via telephone with live interviewers.
This inclusive methodology ensures nearly all U.S. adults have an equal opportunity to be selected.
The report also reflects back on additional data collected from a larger survey conducted in August 2024, which included responses from 9,201 adults.
Significantly, the definitions used in this analysis clarify that the term ‘immigrants’ refers specifically to those born outside the contiguous 50 U.S. states and territories, while ‘U.S. born’ refers to individuals born within those regions.
In tracing generational lines, the analysis reveals that ‘second generation’ refers to individuals with at least one immigrant parent while ‘third or higher generation’ refers to those whose parents were both born in the U.S.
When examining opinions based on race and ethnicity, the survey disclosed clear demographic divides.
A notable 73% of Hispanic adults and 61% of Black adults expressed support for granting citizenship to children born to unauthorized immigrants.
Conversely, fewer among English-speaking Asian adults (48%) and White adults (42%) shared this view.
Age also played a significant role in shaping opinions: 58% of adults aged 18 to 49 supported citizenship for children of unauthorized immigrants, while only 41% of those aged 50 and older felt the same way.
The responses from immigrants themselves revealed 61% in favor of citizenship for these children, compared to 47% of U.S.-born respondents.
Among U.S.-born individuals with immigrant parents, 67% supported birthright citizenship, contrasting with only 45% of those from third or higher generations.
Political affiliation also strongly influenced opinions on this issue, showcasing a pronounced divide between Democrats and Republicans.
The survey identified that 74% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents advocate for citizenship for children born to unauthorized immigrants, while only 25% of Republicans and Republican leaners support this position.
The gaps are even more evident when analyzing specific demographic groups.
For example, 75% of White Democrats are in favor of granting citizenship in this context, compared to just 18% of White Republicans, resulting in a substantial 57-point difference.
Similarly, among Hispanic voters, 85% of Hispanic Democrats support the concept, while just 55% of Hispanic Republicans do, reflecting a 30-point disparity.
Asian voters also demonstrate a considerable gap: 61% of Asian Democrats support citizenship under these circumstances, compared with only 26% of Asian Republicans, leading to a 35-point difference.
Unfortunately, there were not enough Black Republicans in the sample to analyze their views separately.
Among immigrants, support remains strong, with 74% of Democratic respondents favoring citizenship for those born to unauthorized immigrant parents, contrasted with only 38% of Republicans, a significant 36-point gap.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s ruling on President Trump’s controversial executive order, the public discourse surrounding birthright citizenship is poised to remain a key point of contention in American society.
image source from：https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/06/10/us-public-is-split-on-birthright-citizenship-for-people-whose-parents-immigrated-illegally/
