Protests outside Supreme Court as birthright fight reaches justices

Demonstrators rally outside the Supreme Court as the court hears Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026.

President Donald Trump arrives in his motorcade at the Supreme Court building to attend oral arguments on the legality of his administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants, in Washington, D.C., April 1, 2026.

Bibi Reiffen, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, joins a rally outside the US Supreme Court as the court hears Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026. The court is reviewing a lower court's rejection of Trump’s argument that children of parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily are not entitled to citizenship. The president's interpretation of a 19th century constitutional provision would fundamentally alter how the citizenship clause has long been understood.

Demonstrators rally outside the US Supreme Court as the court hears Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026. The court is reviewing a lower court's rejection of Trump’s argument that children of parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily are not entitled to citizenship.

Demonstrators rally outside the US Supreme Court as the court hears Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026. The court is reviewing a lower court's rejection of Trump’s argument that children of parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily are not entitled to citizenship.

Demonstrators rally outside the US Supreme Court as the court hears Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026. The court is reviewing a lower court's rejection of Trump’s argument that children of parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily are not entitled to citizenship.

Supporters of birthright citizenship rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices hear oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026.

A demonstrator in a Statue of Liberty costume holds a placard near the U.S. Supreme Court building as the court hears oral arguments on the legality of the Trump administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 1, 2026.

A demonstrator stands with a sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court building as the court hears oral arguments on the legality of the Trump administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 1, 2026.

Addison Ball, a paralegal who worked on the case for American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), reacts as ACLU National Legal Director Cecillia Wang stands with others outside the U.S. Supreme Court building after the court has heard oral arguments on the legality of the Trump administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants, in Washington, D.C., April 1, 2026.

Spanish-American chef Jose Andres speaks in support of birthright citizenship outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 1, 2026. President Donald Trump attended in person as the US Supreme Court heard a landmark case weighing the constitutionality of his contentious bid to end birthright citizenship, an extraordinary and possibly unprecedented move for the nation's highest office.

Demonstrators rally in support of birthright citizenship outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 1, 2026. President Donald Trump attended in person as the US Supreme Court heard a landmark case weighing the constitutionality of his contentious bid to end birthright citizenship, an extraordinary and possibly unprecedented move for the nation's highest office.

A demonstrator holds a placard referencing the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and another one with the slogan "No kings", near the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court building on the day the court is expected to hear oral arguments on the legality of the Trump administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants, in Washington, D.C., April 1, 2026.

Cecillia Wang, national legal director of the ACLU and Anthony Romero, executive director of the ACLUE, wave to supporters as they exit the US Supreme Court after oral arguments conclude for Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026.

Demonstrators rally outside the US Supreme Court as the court hears Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026.

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) shakes hands with a supporter before speaking at a rally outside the US Supreme Court as the court hears Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026.

Demonstrators rally outside the US Supreme Court as the court hears Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026. The court is reviewing a lower court's rejection of Trump’s argument that children of parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily are not entitled to citizenship. The president's interpretation of a 19th century constitutional provision would fundamentally alter how the citizenship clause has long been understood.

Cecillia Wang, national legal director of the ACLU and Anthony Romero, executive director of the ACLUE, exit the US Supreme Court after oral arguments conclude for Trump v. Barbara in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2026.

Demonstrators hold placards outside the Supreme Court building as the court hears oral arguments on the legality of the Trump administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants, in Washington, D.C., April 1, 2026.

Protesters rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court on April 1, 2026, as justices hear oral arguments on the legality of the Trump administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship for the children of people who are in the country illegally or temporarily.

People demonstrate outside the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's expected arrival on April 1, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara to determine if President Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship is constitutional. According to historians and the Court, this is the first time a sitting president has attended oral arguments at the nation's highest court.