As I reflect on the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision affirming the constitutionality of birthright citizenship, I think about its importance – my Mexican familial path as an American intertwined with other ethnic peoples. My parents born on American soil secured birthright citizenship, owing the good fortune to my grandparents and great grandparents who traversed the Rio Grande and made their home in Texas.
My ancestors who crossed the border were lured here with the promises of jobs in construction and work as field hands picking crops. They were willing to take any low paying job. Some came as well to ply their own skilled labor. But all came with one thought in mind: because America held the promise of freedom, freedom from the religious, political, sometimes violent persecution of the countries they left behind. America was the place to establish a home where they could raise a family and escape poverty.
The America of the early 20th century welcomed them. But what they also often found was a disrespect to their culture, their language, and the color of their skin. It was a disrespect that is still hard to erase and that Pope Leo XIV calls today a right to human dignity.
The road to the promise of America includes one such story from Indian born Saba Haider whom KCDW members met at our July meeting. Saba and her husband Ali immigrated to the U.S. twenty years ago and chose Illinois as the place to start their family and a successful small business. Grateful for everything that her community gave her to make her “American Dream” a reality, Saba says she has dedicated her life to public service. She is currently running for State Representative District 84.
On Tuesday, June 30th, the nation waited for a Supreme Court verdict. Many held fear of the outcome, but birthright citizenship was re-affirmed. Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the majority opinion, which ruled that the executive order issued by Trump at the start of his second term violated the 14th amendment of the Constitution.
“Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights – to freely participate in our political community,” wrote Roberts. “The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to ‘every free-born person in this land.’ We keep that promise today.”
To the powers granted to us as citizens, we celebrated the 250th anniversary of America this 4th of July 2026, and will exercise our rights to vote as we look to the midterm elections on November 3rd. Everyone needs to participate to ensure our republic serves the people. Our country needs you.