Miami archbishop: Birthright citizenship strengthens democracy in US, South Florida | Opinion
As the Catholic Church joins our nation in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are reminded that this milestone is not only an occasion to celebrate our history, but also to renew our commitment to the enduring principles upon which our nation was founded: the inherent dignity of every person, equal justice under the law and the opportunity for each generation to contribute to the common good.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the longstanding constitutional principle of birthright citizenship affirms the dignity of innocent children and is consistent with our democratic traditions as well as with the plain language of the 14th Amendment.
For more than a century, birthright citizenship has helped integrate new generations of Americans into the fabric of our nation. Here in South Florida, as elsewhere in the United States, we celebrate the achievements of those who proudly called themselves first-generation Americans. In celebrating their accomplishments, we also honor the sacrifices of their parents who came to this country in search of freedom, opportunity and the chance to build a better future for their children.
Tuesday’s decision preserves a constitutional principle that has fostered unity, stability and opportunity for generations of Americans while reaffirming that children born in this country belong to the nation they call home.
Abandoning this principle risked creating a vulnerable, exploitable and marginalized underclass. Today’s ruling helps avoid that outcome and preserves a tradition that has strengthened our democracy and promoted the common good.
The Catholic Church teaches that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses an inherent dignity. While nations have the right to regulate immigration and secure their borders, they must always do so in ways that respect human dignity, protect family unity and promote justice.
As we commemorate 250 years of our nation’s journey, we recognize that America’s strength has always been renewed by those who arrived seeking freedom and opportunity, and by the generations of children who have contributed their gifts to our nation’s civic, economic, cultural and spiritual life.
The Archdiocese of Miami remains committed to accompanying immigrant families, defending the dignity of every child and advocating for immigration policies that are both just and compassionate. We pray that this decision will encourage our nation to continue building a society that welcomes opportunity, fosters inclusion and reflects our shared responsibility to care for one another.
Thomas Wenski is archbishop of the Archdiocese of Miami.