birthright citizenship act

The Citizenship Clause (also known as the Naturalization Clause) in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was enacted in 1868 in order to reverse the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision that African Americans were not and could not become citizens or enjoy any of the privileges and immunities of U.S. citizenship. By enacting this amendment, Congress also sought to protect the principle from repeal by any simple majority in any future Congress.