Which amendment grants citizenship to all people born in the United States?

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is pivotal in defining citizenship. Ratified in 1868, it explicitly states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States. This provision was primarily designed to ensure that newly freed slaves were granted citizenship and equal protection under the law following the Civil War.

The importance of the 14th Amendment lies in its assertion of equal rights and protection for all individuals born on American soil, which has been a cornerstone of civil rights in the country. Its language has been referenced in numerous Supreme Court cases regarding citizenship status and civil liberties, solidifying its role as a foundational element of American democracy. In contrast, the other amendments mentioned focus on different aspects of rights and liberties, such as voting rights or freedoms of speech and assembly, and do not address citizenship status directly.