Which amendment guarantees citizenship and equal protection under the law for all persons born or naturalized in the United States?

• A. Nineteenth Amendment
• B. Fifteenth Amendment
• C. Twelfth Amendment
• D. Fourteenth Amendment

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is how citizenship is established for people born or naturalized in the United States and how they must be treated under the law. This amendment defines anyone born in the U.S. or naturalized as a citizen and, importantly, guarantees due process and equal protection under the law. That means the government can’t deny people basic legal rights or apply laws in a discriminatory way; laws must be applied fairly to everyone. It also has been used to extend protections from the federal government to state governments through the process of incorporation, reinforcing that equal protection and due process apply broadly. The other amendments mentioned focus on voting rights or on changing how the presidency is elected, but they do not establish birthright citizenship and broad equal protection in the same way. So this amendment is the one that guarantees citizenship and equal protection for all persons born or naturalized in the United States.