Immigrants and children of immigrants expressed cautious hope on Wednesday after the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether there should be limits on universal birthright citizenship. Many noted how the justices appeared skeptical of Mr. Trump’s executive order to end the right.
“We are relieved, and it makes us feel more secure that we belong here and are appreciated here,” said Maria Brossi Andreote, a microbiologist from Brazil who came to the United States in 2019 on a temporary visa who spoke by phone from Pennsylvania.
Many immigrants were unwilling to talk or share their full name, fearing that remarks perceived as critical of the government could undermine their ability to remain in the country. But amid the uncertainty, they were encouraged by the debate.
Andres and Bea, both Ph.D. candidates from Peru on student visas, were expecting their first baby when Mr. Trump issued his order last year limiting birthright citizenship. They found themselves initially consumed by uncertainty: Would they have to leave the country? What costs would they face? They felt better about their prospects on Wednesday.
“If it’s becoming clear they won’t be changing birthright citizenship, we can start making long-term plans, like having more kids,” Andres said, speaking from a university in the Northeast. “You don’t want to put your kids at risk of not having access to a lot of things.”
Outside the court under a bright blue sky, many children of immigrants were among the hundreds of people who converged in front of the Supreme Court to show support for preserving birthright citizenship. They waved American flags and held signs that said, “If you are born in the USA, you are an American citizen.”
Among the demonstrators was Kevin Xu of Fairfax, Va., whose parents immigrated from China in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Birthright citizenship has been the foundation for our community, for the Chinese American community,” he said. “It really shows how the attitude of what the American dream is — what the American dream promises — has really changed.”
Richard Benjumea, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Colombia, said, “I’m out here as a son of immigrants, I benefited from birthright citizenship.”
But he said the issue extended beyond immigrant communities.
“So we’re out here for all the immigrants and pretty much everybody — everybody in the United States — because what starts with the immigrants will eventually catch up to everybody else,” Mr. Benjumea said.
The crowd swelled as a succession of speakers, including the celebrity chef and activist José Andrés, addressed the stakes at play between songs by the Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny and other Spanish-language singers that blared out of speakers.
The rally was organized by national groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and immigrant advocacy groups including CASA and the League of United Latin American Citizens, whose members handed out hats, signs and water.
Some people peeled off to the periphery, following a livestream of the arguments unfolding inside, or cheering from shaded areas.
Getúlio González-Mulattieri 37, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and an American citizen born in Brazil, traveled from Ithaca, N.Y.
“I was born abroad and I would not have been able to contribute if I had not been able to obtain citizenship,” said Mr. González-Mulattieri, a student at Cornell University.
He said that he came from a mixed-status family of citizens, lawful immigrants and undocumented immigrants.
“I’m here for them,” he said. “These issues hit close to home.”
If birthright citizenship ends, some U.S.-born infants would be able to acquire the citizenship of their parents, if their country of origin allows that. However, if born to parents from countries that do not grant citizenship through a parent, the babies could end up stateless.
Although few immigrants appeared to be among the people who had come to protest, some followed the news on websites, from their homes or from their workplaces, such as Ms. Andreote and her husband, Francisco Andreote, who is also a microbiologist.
Penn State recruited both of them to do government-funded research on crop productivity, and immediately sponsored them
for legal permanent residency, a bureaucratic process that can take years.
Before the couple’s green cards were issued in April 2022, including for their older child, now 8, they gave birth to a U.S.-born child, Laura, in January. Under Mr. Trump’s plan, she would have not been granted U.S. citizenship.
After the arguments on Wednesday, Ms. Andreote was more confident about her family’s future.
“My children are being raised here, English is their first language and we are contributing to this country,” she said.
Amy Qin and Aishvarya Kavi contributed reporting.
Miriam Jordan reports from a grass roots perspective on immigrants and their impact on the demographics, society and economy of the United States.
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