Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Birthright Citizenship Challenge

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Supreme Court Faces Citizenship Challenge

The Supreme Court is set to hear pivotal arguments today as the Trump administration seeks to contest a constitutional guarantee. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that all individuals born on U.S. soil are citizens. Yet, on the first day of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order aiming to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents who are either undocumented or present on a temporary basis.

The U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments on May 15 in a case challenging an executive order President Trump signed in January to limit who is entitled to birthright citizenship.
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Justice Department’s Strategy

• 🎧 NPR’s Nina Totenberg reports that the Justice Department is aware of the challenging nature of its case, focusing instead on a technical aspect regarding federal judges’ powers to halt the enforcement of nationwide orders. Immigrant rights groups and 22 states are contesting the order, and lower courts have already deemed it unconstitutional. Federal appeals courts have consistently declined to allow the order to proceed amid ongoing appeals.
• ➡️ The majority of Americans are against the termination of birthright citizenship, according to a recent NPR/Ipsos poll.

House Republicans Push Policy Agenda

Efforts to progress President Trump’s major policy bill are underway as Republican committees strive to meet the Memorial Day deadline. The bill encompasses significant elements of Trump’s domestic policy, including immigration and tax reforms. Three committees have advanced their contributions, which include extending 2017 tax cuts, exempting taxes on tips and overtime, and reducing spending on Medicaid and SNAP. Despite this progress, House Speaker Mike Johnson faces the challenge of unifying party members to secure the necessary votes. Senate Republicans remain skeptical, as many have already voiced opposition to the bill’s contents.

• 🎧 According to NPR’s Barbara Sprunt, the budget committee will convene to consolidate approved bills, with a House vote expected next week. The Freedom Caucus has expressed concerns, arguing that the proposed measures fall short of achieving substantial deficit reduction and that the proposed Medicaid work requirements lack immediacy.

Middle East Developments

Confusion arises in the Middle East following Trump’s announcement to lift sanctions on Syria, a move that has puzzled Israel, a longstanding adversary. Syria’s leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has expressed a desire for peaceful relations with Israel. Meanwhile, Trump continues his diplomatic tour in Qatar.

• 🎧 NPR’s Hadeel Al-Shalchi interviewed Damascus Governor Maher Marwan, who emphasized Syria’s commitment to peace and willingness to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, contingent upon U.S. assistance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly opposed the lifting of sanctions, labeling Sharaa as a terrorist and asserting Israel’s right to self-defense.

Student Loan Overhaul Considered

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 12: The headquarters of the Department of Education are shown March 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Department of Education announced yesterday that it will reduce its staff by nearly 50 percent, leaving the department with 2,183 workers, a reduction from 4,133 when U.S. President Donald Trump took office for his second term. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Congressional Republicans are advancing a major alteration to the federal student loan system. This proposed change, part of a broader reconciliation package, includes an extension of the 2017 tax cuts. A significant feature of the plan is the introduction of a unified repayment option for future borrowers, replacing multiple existing repayment plans.

• 💰 New borrowers will commit to a repayment span of 10 to 25 years, depending on their debt size, with payments spread evenly over the term.
• 💰 Current loan holders will retain access to some existing repayment plans, with terms ranging from 10 to 30 years.
• 💰 The proposed Repayment Assistance Plan would adjust payments based on borrowers’ total adjusted gross income and waive remaining interest after each payment.

Discover more about income-based repayment options here.

Navigating Friendships Post-Parenthood

Balancing friendships with parenthood can present unique challenges. Parents might feel their child-free friends aren’t interested in their new lives, while those without children might believe parents are too busy. Life Kit offers an illustrated guide to help maintain these relationships during life transitions.

• 👶 Consider the balance of conversation topics during gatherings with both parents and child-free friends to avoid exclusion.
• 👶 Flexibility is key. While gatherings may change, the intention remains to spend time together. Opt for activities where children are welcome, like errands or chores.
• 👶 Open dialogue about feelings in this new life stage can either fortify friendships or highlight growing apart.

For more strategies to sustain friendships after becoming a parent, listen to this episode of NPR’s Life Kit. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for advice on relationships, finance, and more.

3 Things to Know Before You Go

This metal box containing around $10,000 of gold, currency, and historic San Francisco artifacts was found late on May 13 on West Ridge Trail in Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve, San Francisco.
TJ Lee
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1. A popular Reddit post prompted a treasure hunt in San Francisco, where participants sought a prize of about $10,000 in gold, currency, and historical items.
2. In a personal story, a man experiencing psychosis was rescued by his boss, who helped him receive necessary psychiatric care after recognizing his struggles.
3. A new study indicates that nearly 19 million children in the U.S. reside with at least one parent struggling with a substance use disorder.

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.