Immigration Attorney Elizabeth Chatham Offers Insights on Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship Case in Arizona Republic

04.03.2026

Stinson LLP Partner Elizabeth Chatham was quoted in Arizona Republic discussing the Supreme Court's April 1 oral arguments regarding the Trump administration's effort to end birthright citizenship. The article, "High court is likely to uphold birthright citizenship, lawyers say," highlights attorneys' perspectives on what they observed during the proceedings and the potential implications for immigrants and U.S. citizenship law.

Chatham noted that several justices appeared skeptical of the administration's arguments. "I think they were leaning towards keeping the understanding of the 14^th Amendment intact as we understand it today – that anyone born on U.S. soil, with limited exception, would be considered a U.S. citizen," she said. "I felt like they were interpreting it as citizenship by birth is a promise in the Constitution, and it's not a privilege that the government has the power to grant or withhold later."

The article highlights the potential implications of ending birthright citizenship, including the impact on children of legal immigrants working in the U.S. on temporary visas. Chatham emphasized that the change would significantly affect immigrant families contributing to U.S. society, including doctors, scientists and other essential workers.

Chatham assists companies and educational institutions in navigating U.S. immigration law and compliance. She provides tailored corporate immigration and compliance programs and works with clients to obtain temporary and permanent immigration options. Chatham also advises clients on individual consular processing and naturalization.

Read the full article.