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‘Is my baby going to be a citizen?': US Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship triggers fear among immigrants
The US Supreme Court's landmark ruling blunting a potent weapon that federal judges have used to block government policies nationwide during legal challenges was in many ways a victory for President Donald Trump, except perhaps on the very policy he is seeking to enforce. read more
The US Supreme Court's decision on Friday has sown confusion and anxiety among immigrant families particularly those with expectant mothers over the future of birthright citizenship in the country.
The ruling, delivered by the court's conservative majority on Friday allows an executive order by President Donald Trump to partially move forward. The order, issued on his first day back in office this January seeks to end the automatic granting of US citizenship to children born on American soil unless at least one parent is a US citizen or legal permanent resident.
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Though three lower court judges had blocked the measure nationwide, citing constitutional concerns, the Supreme Court did not directly rule on the order's legality. Instead, it curbed the ability of judges to issue broad, nationwide injunctions, opening the door for the policy to take effect in some states while legal battles continue in others.
That partial green light has created uncertainty about how the ruling will be applied and who it will affect, particularly in the 28 states that did not challenge the executive order. Immigration attorneys and advocacy groups have since reported a surge in calls from worried parents and expectant immigrants trying to understand what the decision means for their children's citizenship.
One of them is Lorena, a 24-year-old Colombian asylum seeker living in Houston and due to give birth in September. After scanning news reports, she told AP she was left more confused than reassured. 'There are not many specifics. I don't understand it well,' she said. Her main concern: what if her baby is born without any nationality? 'I don't know if I can pass on my citizenship. I also don't know if I can add her to my asylum claim. I just don't want her to be stateless.'
Trump has framed his crackdown on birthright citizenship as part of a broader immigration reform agenda, arguing that current policies serve as a 'magnet' for migrants seeking to give birth in the U.S. 'Hundreds of thousands of people are pouring into our country under birthright citizenship, and it wasn't meant for that reason,' he said at a White House briefing.
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Legal experts, however, warn that the current situation risks creating a fragmented and chaotic system. Kathleen Bush-Joseph of the Migration Policy Institute cautioned that different states could now interpret and apply the order differently. 'Would individual hospitals have to determine the citizenship of babies and their parents? It's an extremely confusing patchwork,' she said.
In response to the ruling, advocacy groups filed an amended lawsuit in Maryland federal court on Friday afternoon seeking class-action protection for individuals who may be denied citizenship under the new policy.
The fear is already palpable on the ground. Lynn Tramonte of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance recounted receiving a call from a man on a temporary visa whose pregnant wife was due soon. Worried that Ohio wasn't among the states challenging the policy, he wanted to know how he could safeguard his child's citizenship.
Some groups—such as CASA in Maryland and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, remain shielded from the policy under prior court rulings, but it remains unclear whether people in other states could join these organizations to gain the same protection.
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For US-born Betsy, a recent high school graduate from Virginia and a CASA member, the policy feels deeply personal. Her Salvadoran parents were undocumented when she was born. 'It targets innocent kids who haven't even been born yet,' she said, asking to withhold her full name for safety.
Others are also grappling with the implications. Nivida, a Honduran asylum seeker in Louisiana and a member of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, recently gave birth. On Friday, she got a call from a pregnant friend—also undocumented—terrified about what might happen under Louisiana's Republican administration. 'She asked, 'If my baby is born here, will she still be a citizen?'
As the legal process unfolds and enforcement details remain murky, expectant immigrant parents are left in limbo unsure whether their US-born children will be granted the very citizenship once considered a constitutional birthright.
With inputs from agencies
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Hindustan Times
44 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Zohran Mamdani's political upset gives hope to many South Asian Americans, Muslims
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'So the idea that it's gotten our whole family activated in this way — this is, like, personal.' Snigdha Sur, founder and CEO of The Juggernaut, an online publication reporting on South Asians, has been fascinated by the response from some people in India and the diaspora. 'So many global South Asians ... they're like, 'Oh, this guy is my mayor and I don't live in New York City,'' Sur said. At the same time, some are also concerned or angered by Mamdani's past remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he publicly called a 'war criminal.' In 2005, the U.S. revoked Modi's visa to the U.S., citing concerns that, as chief minister of the state of Gujarat, he did not act to stop communal violence during 2002 anti-Muslim riots that left more than 1,000 people dead. An investigation approved by the Indian Supreme Court later absolved Modi. Rights groups have accused Modi's government of widespread attacks and discrimination against India's Muslims and other minorities. In Michigan, Thasin Sardar has been following Mamdani's ascent online. When he first heard him, he struck him as 'genuine' and he felt 'an instant connection,' he said. 'As a Muslim American, this victory puts my trust back in the people,' said Sardar, who was born and raised in India. 'I am happy that there are people who value the candidate and his policies more than his personal religious beliefs and didn't vote him down because of the color of his skin, or the fact that he was an immigrant with an uncommon name.' New York voter Zainab Shabbir said family members in California, and beyond, have also excitedly taken note. 'My family in California, they were very much like, 'Oh, it's so nice to see a South Asian Muslim candidate be a mayor of a major city,'' she said. A brother told her Mamdani's rise is a great example for his kids, she said. But the 34-year-old — who donated, voted and canvassed for Mamdani — said it was his vision for New York City that was the draw for her. She and her husband briefly chatted with Mamdani at a fundraiser and she found him to be 'very friendly and genuine.' She suspects that for some who aren't very politically active, Mamdani's political ascent could make a difference. 'There's a lot of Muslim communities like my parents' generation who are focused a lot more on the politics back home and less on the politics here in America,' said Shabbir. 'Seeing people like Zohran Mamdani be in office, it'll really change that perspective in a lot of people.' Embracing Indian and Muslim roots Supporters and pundits agree that Mamdani's campaign has demonstrated social media savvy and authenticity. He visited multiple mosques. In videos, he speaks in Hindi or gives a touch of Bollywood. Other South Asian American politicians such as Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna praised that. 'I love that he didn't run away from his heritage. I mean, he did video clips with Amitabh Bachchan and Hindi movies,' Khanna said, referencing the Indian actor. 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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Waqf law protest likely to draw large crowd today
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First Post
an hour ago
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Weekend Senate session focuses on contentious GOP tax cuts and budget reductions
Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks read more The Senate is expected to grind through a rare weekend session as Republicans race to pass President Donald Trump's package of tax breaks and spending cuts by his July Fourth deadline. Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 940-page bill was released shortly before midnight Friday. 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House Speaker Mike Johnson, who sent his colleagues home for the weekend with plans to be on call to return to Washington, said they are 'very close' to finishing up. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We would still like to meet that July Fourth, self-imposed deadline,' said Johnson, R-La. With the narrow Republicans majorities in the House and Senate, leaders need almost every lawmaker on board to ensure passage. Johnson and Thune have stayed close to the White House, relying on Trump to pressure holdout lawmakers.
