Members of the legislative caucuses representing communities of color applaud Supreme Court decision in Trump v. Barbara
Calls for Continued Protection of Birthright Citizenship
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus June 30, 2026 | 11:27 AM
HARRISBURG, June 30 -- Today, the United States Supreme Court upheld the Constitution and reaffirmed the guarantee of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment—protecting thousands of Pennsylvania children born each year.
Every year, over 400,000 children are born to immigrant families in Pennsylvania. Today's decision reaffirms that children born in the U.S., who are raised here and pledge allegiance to our flag, are just as American as those born to citizens. This ruling ensures that these children, along with all children born on U.S. soil, will continue to be recognized as citizens with full rights and protections.
“This decision affirms what we have always known: that the Constitution does not discriminate,” said Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus. “But while we celebrate today, we must remain vigilant. The rights of our communities should never be one court case away from being taken.”
“The fact that this administration saw fit to challenge a founding tenant of this nation, birthright citizenship, is an indictment of a racist, nationalist governing theology,” said Rep. Napoleon Nelson, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. “It is also a doomed governing theology that simply doesn’t understand that to be an American and to love this country does not rely on the country loving us back. America has never loved all of its citizens. Today’s SCOTUS ruling simply affirms the rights implied in our founding documents and inscribed into the Constitution in 1868.”
“Every American-born child deserves the legal rights, protections and liberties of citizenship. By recognizing this fact, we fulfill one of the most sacred promises of our country: that America can be a place of opportunity, freedom and a better life for generations,” said Sen. Patty Kim, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Asian Pacific American Caucus. “I am glad that the Supreme Court was on the right side of history today. However, as we breathe a collective sigh of relief, we must also remember that the rights of immigrants are still under attack every day. There is much more work to be done.”
“Birthright citizenship – recognizing that people born on U.S. soil are U.S. citizens – is a fundamental concept for American society and government. The United States was the first government to recognize that all people have inalienable rights at birth – and in doing so we rejected privileges based on aristocratic bloodlines. Birthright citizenship is the foundation of our democracy and our country’s place in the world. With it, we have become the greatest example of freedom and opportunity the world has ever seen,” said Rep. Joseph Hohenstein, chair of the Welcoming PA Caucus. “I am glad the Supreme Court reaffirmed this basic principle of our law and democratic form of government.”
This decision has immediate implications for classrooms across Pennsylvania. Thousands of students – especially in districts like Philadelphia, Reading, Allentown and Lancaster – will continue to have access to education, healthcare and economic opportunity without fear or uncertainty about their citizenship status.
But this moment demands action – not complacency.
The legislative caucuses representing communities of color call on the:
- U.S. House and Senate to codify birthright citizenship into federal law and remove any ambiguity once and for all.
- governor and legislative leaders to strengthen protections for immigrant families and ensure equal protections under the law.
“We will continue to fight to ensure that every child born in Pennsylvania is treated with dignity, equality and the full promise of the American dream,” Cepeda-Freytiz said.