Understanding the 14th Amendment's Impact

Following the end of the Civil War, the United States ratified several amendments to the Constitution that aimed to redefine citizenship and civil rights. Among these, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments are particularly notable for their impact on American society. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment guaranteed equal protection under the law and granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and the 15th Amendment prohibited denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Given this context, which of the following statements accurately reflects one of the key components or implications of the 14th Amendment?