Which amendment protects the right to travel freely between states?

The right to travel freely between states is inferred from the privileges and immunities clause in Article IV of the U.S. Constitution. This clause ensures that citizens of one state are entitled to the same rights and privileges as citizens of another state, which includes the ability to move freely across state lines. The concept is rooted in the idea of national citizenship and the fundamental freedoms that come with it, allowing individuals to access employment, settle, and pursue opportunities in different states without unreasonable barriers.

The First Amendment primarily addresses rights related to freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the press, without any specific mention of travel. The Tenth Amendment deals with powers reserved to the states, and while it relates to state authority, it does not directly address citizens' rights to travel. The Fifteenth Amendment focuses on preventing voting discrimination based on race, which does not pertain to the right to travel. Thus, the privileges and immunities clause serves as the foundational basis for the right to interstate travel.