Which amendment guarantees that all persons born in the United States are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws?

• A. 13th
• B. 14th
• C. 15th
• D. 16th

Answer: (B)

The Fourteenth Amendment establishes both birthright citizenship and equal protection under the law. Its Citizenship Clause says that anyone born or naturalized in the United States is a citizen of the U.S. and of the state where they reside, ensuring those born here are citizens. Its Equal Protection Clause then prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, so laws must be applied fairly to all people.

The other amendments address different issues: the 13th ends slavery, the 15th protects the right to vote regardless of race, and the 16th allows a federal income tax. None of these focus on birthright citizenship or guaranteeing equal protection to all persons, so they don’t fit as well as the Fourteenth Amendment.