Congresswoman Ramirez Statement on Trump’s Plan to End Constitutional Birthright Citizenship

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Vice Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee and proud daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, released the following statement after incoming president Donald Trump doubled down on his unconstitutional plan to end birthright citizenship:

“‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’ It is important to remember who we are, where many of us came from, and why many of our families traveled here to be greeted by the Mother of Exiles, the Statue of Liberty. The story of our nation wouldn't be complete without the sweat, tears, joy, dreams, and hopes of so many children of immigrants who are citizens by birthright and pride themselves on being AMERICANS. It is the story of so many IL-03 communities, strengthened by the immigration of people from Poland, Ukraine, Italy, Mexico, and Guatemala, among others. It is the story of many members of Congress who can point to the citizenship of their forebears and ancestors because of immigration and birthright. 

Let’s be clear: Trump is posing the question of who gets to be an American to our nation. And given that today’s migrants are from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin and Central America, it is clear he is questioning who are the “right” people to benefit from birthright citizenship. Questioning birthright citizenship is anti-American, and eliminating it through executive action is unconstitutional. Donald Trump knows that. But emboldened by a Supreme Court that would use its power to uphold white supremacy rather than the constitution of our nation, Trump is on a mission to weaken the very soul of our nation.

I — like many sons and daughters of immigrants and first-generation Americans — believe in and fight for a land of freedom, opportunities, and equality. To live into that promise, we must stand against white nationalism — especially when it is espoused at the highest levels of government.”