Final answer:
The excerpt from the 14th Amendment defines U.S. citizenship and guarantees that states cannot undermine citizens' privileges or immunities, must provide due process of law, and must ensure equal protection under the law.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the excerpt from the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is to define citizenship of the United States and to ensure that all citizens are guaranteed certain fundamental rights.
It states that anyone born or naturalized in the United States is a U.S. citizen and that no state can infringe upon the privileges or immunities of U.S. citizens.
Additionally, the amendment protects individuals from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, and requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all persons within their jurisdictions.