Yes, if you are born in the United States, you automatically become a U.S. citizen under the principle of birthright citizenship, which is established by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. The relevant part of the amendment states:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

Key Points:

• Exceptions: This right applies to almost everyone born on U.S. soil, with a few exceptions:

  • Children of foreign diplomats are not granted U.S. citizenship because they are not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States.

  • Certain children born to enemy forces in hostile occupation during wartime may also not be granted citizenship.

  
  

• Non-Citizen Parents: Even if your parents are not U.S. citizens or are in the country illegally, you are still entitled to citizenship if born in the U.S.

  
  

• Global Perspective: This principle is referred to as jus soli (right of the soil), and while it is common in the Americas, it is less prevalent in other parts of the world, where citizenship often depends on parentage (jus sanguinis).

Efforts to challenge or end birthright citizenship in the U.S. have sparked political and legal debates, but it remains the law of the land.