The Myth of Birthright Citizenship with Author, Lecturer and NYU Professor Richard Epstein

In a thought-provoking discussion on the myth of birthright citizenship, Richard Epstein—author, lecturer, and professor at New York University—examines the constitutional and historical arguments surrounding the 14th Amendment. Epstein challenges the prevailing interpretation that anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically granted citizenship, arguing that the original intent was more narrowly focused on granting citizenship to the children of freed slaves, not to all individuals regardless of parental status. Drawing on legal precedent and constitutional analysis, he raises questions about how modern interpretations have evolved and whether they align with the framers’ intent, sparking a broader conversation about immigration policy, national sovereignty, and constitutional law.