The Bulletin Birthright Citizenship, War’s Moral Hazards, and Can Literature Save Men?
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Mar 6, 2026 Anna Gallagher, leader of Catholic Legal Immigration Network, explains the church’s amicus brief supporting birthright citizenship. Alan Noble, Associate Professor of English and author, discusses the crisis of reading among young men and the value of great books. Conversations cover the Supreme Court birthright challenge, moral hazards and public response to war, and literature’s role in moral formation.
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Birthright Citizenship As Community Membership
- Birthright citizenship ties constitutional text to human dignity and Catholic social teaching, arguing children born here belong to the community from birth.
- Anna Gallagher said CLINIC and USCCB filed the brief because the issue affects real immigrant families and family unity in parish and civil life.
Surprising Legal Challenge To The 14th Amendment
- The Trump administration argues the 14th Amendment shouldn't grant citizenship to children of noncitizen parents present unlawfully.
- Russell Moore noted this claim rewrites long-standing consensus about the clear text of the 14th Amendment.
Use Amicus Briefs To Explain Motivation Not Mandate
- Amicus briefs explain why an organization cares and how its convictions inform the issue, not impose religious law on the court.
- Russell Moore emphasized the bishops' brief shows a special interest motivated by faith to protect vulnerable people.
