SCOTUS Protects Birthright Citizenship

OUR STATEMENT

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its decision in Trump v. Barbara, affirming existing constitutional protections to birthright citizenship. Dr. Jamila Perritt, ob/gyn in Washington DC and President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health responds:

“For over 150 years, the 14th amendment of the Constitution has made clear that anyone born in the United States is a citizen. With citizenship comes rights, protections, programs, and resources to navigate the already challenging systems to stay healthy and safe in the United States. As a community of physicians who care for immigrants, come from immigrant families, and have benefitted from birthright citizenship ourselves, we are relieved that the Supreme Court affirmed the rights of the United States Constitution.

“Birthright citizenship is a reproductive justice issue; if we truly believe that all people deserve to decide if and when to start a family and to raise those families in safe and sustainable communities, then we must realize that extends to all people, including babies born to immigrant families. Taking away citizenship eliminates access to programs that offer food and housing assistance, health care coverage, and education for those at greatest risk. This effort is not about revoking someone’s status; it is designed to pull away their lifelines, harming individuals, families and communities.

“While this is comparatively a good outcome, we know the fight to protect immigrant families is far from over as we experience an onslaught of attacks on immigrants from the Trump Administration. Between increased policing and militarization against immigrant community members, family separation, detention, and deportation, denial of asylum for immigrants fleeing humanitarian crises, it is clear that the Trump Administration is systematically attempting to deny immigrants their basic human rights.

“At Physicians for Reproductive Health, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that all community members and families are safe, healthy, and thriving. No matter who you are or where you were born, we are committed to this vision. We are grateful for the ongoing and tireless advocacy of our partners in the immigrant justice movement and are with you in this fight. You belong here.”