Which amendment grants citizenship to people born in the United States?

• A. The Fourteenth Amendment
• B. The Thirteenth Amendment
• C. The Eleventh Amendment
• D. The Twelfth Amendment

Answer: (A)

Birthright citizenship is established by the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. It says that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States. This means someone born on U.S. soil generally becomes a citizen at birth, with standard exceptions (such as the children of foreign diplomats). This provision creates jus soli, the right of the soil, that underpins citizenship by birth.

The other amendments address different issues: one ended slavery, another protects states from certain lawsuits, and another outlines how presidential electors are chosen. They don’t establish birthright citizenship, which is why this amendment is the correct one.