Mark Krikorian Debates: Should America End Birthright Citizenship?

Originally Recorded October 9, 2025

A debate produced by a partnership between Open to Debate and Arizona State University’s Institute of Politics.

Birthright citizenship, guaranteed by the 14th Amendment’s jus soli principle, grants U.S. citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of parents’ legal status. Recently, it has come under scrutiny following an Executive Order seeking to limit citizenship for children of noncitizens, now being challenged in court.

ARGUING YES

Mark Krikorian: Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies

Horace Cooper: Senior Fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research; Chairman of the Project 21 National Advisory Board

ARGUING NO

Kris Mayes: Arizona Attorney General

Chris Newman: Legal Director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)

MODERATOR-IN-CHIEF:

John Donvan: Emmy award-winning journalist