Several AAPI community organizations and elected officials reacted on June 30 to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding birthright citizenship.
Japanese American National Museum: JANM welcomes today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold birthright citizenship. In 2025 the administration issued an executive order incorrectly claiming that the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of U.S. citizenship to children born in the U.S. is dependent on the citizenship or immigration status of their parents.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling today upheld a major pillar of the Constitution, which was affirmed by the landmark 1898 case U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark. That case ruled that a child born to Chinese parents in San Francisco was a U.S. citizen.
The court today held that “[c] hildren born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause.”
However in a concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh held out the possibility that while the executive order violated existing law, the Constitution could allow Congress to restrict birthright citizenship.
“We welcome the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the 14th Amendment, reaffirming one of the Constitution’s most fundamental guarantees: that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens,” said Ann Burroughs, president and CEO of JANM. “At the same time, the closeness of the decision is a sobering reminder that these constitutional protections cannot be taken for granted.
“For Japanese Americans, whose citizenship and constitutional rights were betrayed during the mass incarceration of World War II, history demonstrates that even the most fundamental guarantees can be undermined by fear, prejudice, and racism. That history compels us to remain vigilant and to oppose efforts that erode rights foundational to our democracy or reverse the progress our nation has made toward a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible society.
“The 14th Amendment affirms the equal dignity, belonging, and citizenship of all Americans. We cannot allow attempts rooted in exclusion and racism to weaken these enduring constitutional principles or to call into question the rights that define our democracy.”
Japanese American Citizens League: The JACL celebrates the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Trump v. Barbara, which reaffirms the fundamental constitutional principle that every child born in the United States has a claim to citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
Even during the profound constitutional failure inflicted upon Japanese Americans in World War II, birthright citizenship remained a critical safeguard. The 14th Amendment protected the citizenship of children born in the United States, including children born to Issei parents who were classified by the government as “enemy aliens,” children born to Japanese Americans who renounced their citizenship at Tule Lake, and children born to Japanese Latin Americans who were forcibly brought to the United States and incarcerated.
These children’s citizenship did not depend upon a government determination of their parents’ loyalty, patriotism, or legal status. Their citizenship was guaranteed because they were born in the United States and protected by the Constitution.
The JACL applauds this decision as an important victory in the fight to protect constitutional rights and the rights of future generations of American-born citizens. Though it is a cautious reminder of how fragile our nation and its laws can be, we must remain vigilant and ready to safeguard even the most basic rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California CEO Dahni Tsuboi: The Constitution is not up for negotiation. It is not a political position. It is the law and today’s decision reaffirmed what has been true for more than 100 years: every child born on American soil has a place here, a future here, a home here.
Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation Executive Director Ed Tepporn: Birthright citizenship was initially established through the 14th Amendment. In 1882, however, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited persons of Chinese heritage from becoming U.S. citizens even if they were born in the U.S.
In 1898, the Supreme Court ruled in U.S. vs. Wong Kim Ark that all children born in the U.S. were automatically granted citizenship, including those of Chinese heritage. This has been the law of the land for 128 years.
AIISF applauds the Supreme Court’s decision today to uphold birthright citizenship and to reaffirm this right enshrined in our nation’s Constitution.
The Asian American Foundation: The Constitution is clear: if you are born here, you belong here. 128 years after the Supreme Court affirmed the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship in U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark, the justices have rightfully upheld this bedrock principle.
As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, today’s ruling preserves the promise of America for all immigrant families, and TAAF will continue to oppose unlawful, discriminatory efforts to redefine citizenship and belonging.
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.): Today’s decision affirms a fundamental constitutional principle that has defined our nation for generations: every child born in the United States is a citizen of the United States. This promise was established by the 14th Amendment, affirmed by the Supreme Court in the 1898 case U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark, and codified into federal law.
While President Trump believes he is above the law, today’s ruling serves as a reminder that he cannot override the Constitution or deny people the rights it guarantees with a stroke of a pen. His effort to end birthright citizenship and redefine who gets to be an American has failed.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, we stand united in rejecting Trump’s dangerous and exclusionary vision of America. We are American, we belong here, and we will continue to defend birthright citizenship for generations to come.
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii): For over 150 years, birthright citizenship has been the law of the land. And despite Trump’s wishes, today, SCOTUS confirmed what we already knew: Birthright citizenship is a constitutional right for anyone born on U.S. soil.
While this is a good outcome, birthright citizenship shouldn’t have been up for debate in the first place.
Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside): President Trump tried to end birthright citizenship and today the Supreme Court upheld that right. Today’s decision affirms that EVERY child born in the United States is a citizen of the United States.
Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento): The Constitution couldn’t be clearer: if you’re born in the United States, you’re an American citizen. I’m relieved today’s ruling reaffirmed that fundamental promise.
What should concern every American is that the Trump Administration challenged one of our nation’s clearest constitutional rights in the first place. That’s the kind of agenda that puts all of our constitutional rights at risk, and Congress has a duty to check Trump’s executive overreach.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Manhattan Beach): This year is a celebration of the 250th anniversary of our amazing country. It is a glorious country, and one of the reasons that we have such an amazing country is our ability to evolve and become a better place.
So, 250 years ago, I could not have been a citizen of the United States. I was not born in the U.S., but because of laws that Congress passed, my parents were able to come here, immigrate legally, and then I was able to become naturalized.
250 years ago, (Reps.) Lauren Underwood, Laurie Trahan and Debbie Dingell could not have voted. But because of a constitutional amendment and the people of America, women’s suffrage happened.
And then today, we learned from the Supreme Court that one thing did and still holds true, that if you are born in the United States, you are a citizen of the U.S.
I’m relieved and very happy that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of birthright citizenship today. And that is what makes America great. We continue to be the best in the world because of the diversity of our country.
Inflation is up, gas prices are up, grocery prices are up, and what are Trump and Republicans focused on? A giant arch to honor Donald Trump. Putting Donald Trump’s face on U.S. passports. Putting Donald Trump’s face on a $250 bill. Putting Donald Trump’s name on airports. Putting Donald Trump’s name on federal buildings.
This is not what the American people want, nor what the president promised. So we ask Trump and Republicans to focus on reducing costs. That’s the number one issue facing America. And stop putting Trump all over Washington, D.C.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Pasadena): Today, I joined my Democratic colleagues to celebrate another major victory for Americans. The Supreme Court reaffirmed that if you are born in the United States, you are an American. Despite Trump’s pathetic efforts to overturn this fundamental constitutional principle, birthright citizenship stands strong.
Rep. Derek Tran (D-Garden Grove): Donald Trump’s cruel attacks on the American Dream has failed once again. In the United States, it is one of the most basic rights enshrined in the Constitution that if you are born here, you have a right to citizenship. This is personal: My parents fled Vietnam to pursue the American Dream, and I was born here the year my parents were admitted to this country.
Rep. Dave Min (D-Costa Mesa): As a birthright citizen myself, I’m relieved that the Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, but as an American patriot and public servant, I’m pissed off as hell that Trump’s clearly illegal order was even considered, or that three justices dissented.
Time and again, the radical right wing members of this court have decided that their fealty to Trump matters more than their sworn duty to defend the Constitution. It’s long past time we overhaul the Supreme Court and rein in these unelected extremists.
This fundamental principle allowed me to pursue an education, serve in the Army, start a business, and proudly represent the people of Southern California in Congress.
While I’m relieved the Supreme Court issued this common-sense ruling, I know this will not end the Trump Administration’s oppressive agenda that has brought fear and division to our country. Congress must intervene to defend our immigrant communities and protect our nation’s founding principles.
SEARAC (Southeast Asia Resource Action Center) Executive Director Quyên Đinh: The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship reaffirms a fundamental constitutional promise that every child born in the United States is entitled to equal protection and belonging, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
For Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant communities, many of whom came to this country seeking safety and opportunity, this decision preserves a cornerstone of our democracy. It affirms the idea that every child born here is entitled to the same rights, dignity, and chance to thrive and rejects efforts to erode the constitutional protections guaranteed to everyone born in the United States.
ACLU National Legal Director Cecillia Wang: The court’s decision reaffirms a fundamental American promise — if you are born here, you are a citizen. A president cannot change the Constitution by executive fiat. Our brave clients and our legal team stand with millions of people around our country who spoke up for one of our most cherished rights. The Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship stands strong.