What does the 14th Amendment guarantee to all persons born in the U.S.?

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is a significant piece of legislation that includes the Equal Protection Clause, which guarantees that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction "the equal protection of the laws." This means that individuals born in the U.S., as well as those who are naturalized, are entitled to the same legal protections as others, ensuring that laws apply equally regardless of race, ethnicity, or other characteristics.

This aspect of the 14th Amendment is crucial for civil rights, as it laid the foundation for many landmark Supreme Court decisions that have fought against discrimination and inequality. While other options present important rights, they do not specifically relate to the provisions of the 14th Amendment. The right to vote, for instance, is addressed in other amendments, and access to public facilities and free speech are also protected under different contexts and amendments. Thus, the emphasis on equal protection under the law is a hallmark of the 14th Amendment, making it the correct answer.