Which clause of the Fourteenth Amendment addresses citizenship?

The Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment directly establishes the principle of citizenship in the United States. Ratified in 1868, it states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. This clause was a significant legal development as it guarantees citizenship to former slaves and their descendants, ensuring that all individuals born within U.S. territory, regardless of race or previous condition of servitude, are recognized as Americans.

This clause plays a foundational role in defining who is entitled to the rights and protections offered by the Constitution and serves as a basis for various legal arguments regarding citizenship. Consequently, it underpins many court decisions related to civil rights and equality, reinforcing the idea that citizenship is a fundamental element of American identity and legal status.