Justices consider crushing mail ballots before hearing Trump’s bid to kill birthright citizenship

Published on March 29, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court is preparing for a consequential week with significant implications for both voting rights and immigration policies. As justices delve into critical hearings, one notable case involves former President Donald Trump’s renewed attempt to challenge the principle of birthright citizenship, a legal guarantee that grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil.

Simultaneously, the court is grappling with an unrelated case concerning mail-in ballots. With the November elections approaching, the justices are weighing arguments about the potential impacts of restricting mail ballots, which have become increasingly vital for voters, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussions focus on whether certain states can implement stringent rules that might lead to the invalidation or “crushing” of ballots cast , raising concerns about voter suppression.

As these cases unfold, they come amid growing public discussions over the integrity of elections and the rights afforded to immigrants. Advocates for birthright citizenship argue that eliminating this right would fundamentally alter the American identity, while critics insist it has been misinterpreted and misapplied in modern contexts.

On the other side, those supporting increased regulation of mail-in voting contend that such measures are necessary to ensure electoral integrity. Critics of these regulations, however, warn that they disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including minorities and lower-income voters who rely on mail-in options.

As the justices prepare to hear these pivotal cases, the outcomes could reshape the landscape of voting rights and immigration in the United States, further polarizing an already divided electorate. With the clock ticking toward crucial elections, the implications of these decisions will undoubtedly resonate throughout the nation for years to come.

This week’s edition of the Deadline: Legal Newsletter emphasizes the weight of these hearings, also keeping an eye on other significant legal matters such as those involving former Trump advisor Steve Bannon and writer E. Jean Carroll. The evolving legal frameworks surrounding these cases serve as a reflection of the broader socio-political tensions that define current American society.

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