FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS STATEMENT
CONTACT: info@aprnetwork.org
July 2, 2026 – Dr. Andrea Abrams, Executive Director of American Pride Rises, issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s Decision in Trump v. Barbara:
This week, the Supreme Court delivered a major victory for the Constitution, our democracy, and the fundamental promise of America by rejecting the Trump administration’s attempt to undermine birthright citizenship in Trump v. Barbara. This decision is a powerful rebuke to an unprecedented effort to strip away a constitutional guarantee and create a new standard for who is allowed to belong in our nation.
For more than 150 years, the 14th Amendment has protected one of America’s most important democratic principles: that people born in the United States are citizens of this country. Birthright citizenship reflects the idea that our nation’s promise is not reserved for a select few, but belongs to everyone who is born here. It is a recognition that our democracy is strengthened when people have the opportunity to fully participate, contribute, and build a future for themselves and their families.
Unfortunately, this was a close decision. While the justices voted 6-3 in favor of striking down the executive order, only five of the nation’s highest jurists actually defended the constitutionality of the 14th Amendment. The other four laid out their firm conviction that the plain text does not actually mean what it says. Because of this, a 5-4 split, we must anticipate future attempts to end birthright citizenship. Beyond this current administration, too many of our fellow Americans are part of a broader effort to target immigrant communities, spread fear, and undermine the values that have shaped our country. Efforts to scapegoat immigrants and portray communities as threats are not new, but this unrelenting attack on our core values represents a dangerous tactic that seeks to divide Americans and weaken our shared commitment to equality and opportunity.
As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, this decision serves as a reminder that our nation’s history is defined by the ongoing struggle to live up to its highest ideals. And the unfinished work of democracy and diversity, of equality and equity, of inclusion and immigration. The American story has always been shaped by people who challenged barriers and expanded the meaning of freedom and belonging.
American Pride Rises celebrates this victory and remains committed to defending the promise of America — a democracy where every person, regardless of their background or where their family comes from, has the freedom and opportunity to achieve their American Dream.
About American Pride Rises:
American Pride Rises (APR) is an initiative committed to protecting pathways to the American Dream by fighting for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive America for all.