Justice Harlan's Lectures Gets A Shot-Out In Birthright Citizenship Case

This is a first-person account by an academic (Josh Blackman) reflecting on how his scholarship on Justice Harlan's lectures was cited during oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara. The tone is scholarly and self-aware, with minimal editorializing about the merits of birthright citizenship itself. The author presents historical sources (Harlan's lectures) and notes the irony of his research becoming relevant to a contemporary case, without advocating for a particular outcome.

Primary voices: academic or expert, historical legal document, Supreme Court oral argument

• This article does not explain the Solicitor General's specific arguments or the government's position on birthright citizenship
• This article does not contextualize the current political debate over birthright citizenship or why Trump v. Barbara is being brought