‘A sigh of relief’: Lincoln immigration lawyer celebrates ruling on birthright citizenship

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Supreme Court of the United States ruled on Tuesday to uphold birthright citizenship.

In a 6-3 vote, the Justices reinforced the 14th Amendment to grant citizenship to anyone born on American soil.

President Donald Trump tried to end the right through an executive order and argued children should not be given citizenship if their parents are in the country illegally.

David Zaritzky Brown is an immigration lawyer in Lincoln, and he’s an immigrant as well. He said many families were worried about what would happen with the vote.

“Everyone who comes here initially and might stay here permanently was concerned about what this meant for their families,” Brown said.

He said his team is celebrating the decision.

“Our clients can breathe a sigh of relief that things aren’t changing dramatically,” Brown said.

The Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb is pleased with the ruling. She wrote in a statement, “Today America took one step forward in affirming birthright citizenship…”

But the Nebraska GOP Chair Mary Jane Truemper said she’s disappointed.

“The 14th Amendment was never intended to grant automatic citizenship to children of those here illegally or temporarily, and this decision got it wrong,” she wrote in a statement.

Brown said this is likely not the end.

“I was a little surprised by how close it was and a little worried about what that means in the future,” he said. “We may see some suggested piece of legislation coming down the pipeline to strip people of their nationality based on birth.”

His prediction could soon come to fruition.

Not long after the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump posted on social media. He called the ruling “too bad for our Country.”

The president also called on Congress to start work immediately on ending birthright citizenship and vowed his complete support.