Monterey County Supervisor lauds Supreme Court decision over birthright citizenship.

Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo lauded Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision to uphold birthright citizenship.

On June 30, Alejo applauded the court’s decision, saying that coming from an immigrant family, he is grateful that the judges landed on his side of the issue. He added he was happy that the justices protected the longstanding constitutional right for persons who are born in the United States.

“As the grandson of immigrants, I know firsthand that every child deserves the opportunity to dream, belong, and fully participate in the only country many of them have ever known. Today, our nation’s highest court reaffirmed a fundamental constitutional promise that has defined America for more than 150 years,” Alejo said via a press release.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court said that President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship had transgressed the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. In a 6-to-3 decision, the justices reasserted the long-held principle that children born on U.S. soil are American citizens.

In effect, the ruling blocked Trump’s effort to thwart babies born to undocumented immigrants and temporary foreign residents from inevitably turning into Americans. Chief Justice John Roberts — who was joined in the majority by all three progressives, as well as traditional justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh — quoted the beliefs of the lawmakers who approved the 14th Amendment: “Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights — to freely participate in our political community,” he wrote.

The Supreme Court’s decision is very important for immigrants who live and work in the Salinas Valley and the Central Coast, Alejo said, as migrant workers are crucial for the local economy and culture.

“This decision brings hope and certainty to immigrant families across the Central Coast and throughout our nation,” Alejo said. “Our communities are stronger because of the contributions and hard work of immigrants and their children, who are the backbone of our economy, enrich our culture and strengthen the fabric of America.”

“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the fundamental constitutional right to birthright citizenship is a historic victory for the rule of law, our Constitution, and generations of American families,” Alejo added. “Birthright citizenship is a cornerstone of the 14th Amendment and affirms that every child born in the United States is an American citizen, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.”