Leading protestors’ chants of phrases like “Si Se Puede” (“Yes We Can”), two immigrants’ rights advocates brought unique perspectives Thursday, to the debate over President Donald Trump’s executive order denying birthright citizenship to children born in the US to non-citizen parents.
“If I was born at this moment right now, I would unfortunately not have the right to citizenship in the United States”, said Linda, 21, who didn’t want to give her last name. She was born in the US to parents who were undocumented.
Speaking to CNN outside the Supreme Court, Linda said she’s concerned that others in her situation in the future “won’t be able to have the same privileges that I’ve been able to have.” She said not only did she graduate near the top of her high school class and attend college, she’s also helped others along the way.
“I’ve been able to tutor more than 200 students while being here in the US. I’ve been able to help over 15 students graduate from high school … I’ve been able to show them scholarships, mentorship, bring them to organizations that will help them thrive.”
Jossie Sapunar, an immigrants’ rights advocate with the group CASA, told CNN she also would not be granted citizenship if she were born after the Trump order was enacted. She’s the daughter of immigrants from Chile.
“I would have nothing. Where would I be without any type of immigration?” she said.
Presented with the perspective argued by the Trump administration that the order seeks to prevent “birth tourism”, the practice of expectant mothers coming to the U.S. to give birth and secure citizenship for their children, Sapunar said “The constitution is crystal clear, President Trump … someone of any immigration status can come and have their child and that child has earned citizenship, per the Constitution.”
Rosanne Rodriguez, a US army veteran, told CNN, she wasn’t shocked when she heard that Trump was trying to end birthright citizenship.
“You know, they are seeing the replacement rate of white people versus everyone else, and they’re afraid,” Rodriguez, 43, said.
Michael Martinez, 39, said was important for him to join others to protest outside of the Supreme Court.
“I’m here to say ‘stop it. It’s not right what you’re doing. It’s injustice. (Trump) is coming for the 14th Amendment right now, what is next? The first, the second, the third?” He told CNN.
“I think we all like need to stand up and fight back, even if we aren’t immigrants ourselves or our children of immigrants,” Annie, who did not want to provide her last name out of fear of retribution, told CNN.
Genesis Jimenez, 24, said she is concerned about what the unintended consequences will be of challenging birthright citizenship on other issues under this Trump administration. “I’m very frustrated, but I’m not surprised.”
