The Supreme Court heard arguments on April 2nd regarding potential restrictions to birthright citizenship, a legal principle with roots stretching back over 150 years. The case could significantly alter long-standing precedents concerning who qualifies for U.S. citizenship.

Supreme Court Considers Citizenship Restrictions

Arguments centered around the 14th Amendment and whether children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status are automatically citizens. Reporter Alexander Nguyen noted the case could “upend decades-long precedents on who qualifies for citizenship.”

The legal debate echoes a similar case from nearly 130 years ago, Wong v. United States. In that case, the Supreme Court affirmed that a child born in the U.S. was a citizen, even if their parents lacked permanent status. As University of San Diego School of Law Dean Robert Shapiro explained, the Court stated, “oh, yes, he is a citizen.”

A ruling from the justices is expected this summer and will likely have far-reaching consequences.

CalFresh Benefits at Risk for San Diegans

As of yesterday, thousands of San Diegans receiving CalFresh benefits may be impacted by new restrictions. Individuals in the U.S. without legal status who are current recipients will be allowed to use existing benefits but will not be able to re-certify.

Carissa Casares of Feeding San Diego stated, “This is really potentially devastating for people who live on low incomes…not going to have them and are going to have to fall into that nonprofit social.”

San Diego County estimates that approximately 13,000 people will be affected by this change.

Other News from San Diego

Astronauts Prepare for Splashdown

Four astronauts aboard the International Space Station are preparing to return to Earth, splashing down nine days from now off the coast of San Diego. The U.S. Navy, based at Naval Base San Diego, will be on hand to recover the crew and the spacecraft, furthering the goal of establishing a sustained presence on the moon.

Gas Prices Remain High

After months of increases, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline saw a slight decrease to $5.94 yesterday. However, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy indicated that prices are unlikely to return to pre-war levels, despite expectations of a fall.

Catholics Demonstrate Support for Migrants

Dozens of Catholics gathered outside San Diego’s Federal Courthouse on April 2nd to reaffirm their commitment to supporting migrants. The demonstration, a reenactment of Jesus’s welcome into Jerusalem, involved laying palm branches along the path migrants would take inside.

Sister Francina Vivier, a volunteer accompanying migrants, noted increasing restrictions, stating she has been asked to leave courtrooms and even threatened with removal by federal police. Bishop Michael Pham reaffirmed the church’s commitment to continue providing support.

Middle Schoolers Win Documentary Award

Harper Haden and Helena de la Houssaye, eighth graders at Correia Middle School, won first place in a C-SPAN documentary filmmaking competition. Their documentary explores the connections between today’s “No Kings Day” protests and the principles of the Declaration of Independence.

Haden explained, “If you think about it, the Declaration of Independence was a No Kings movement in and of itself.” De la Houssaye added, “We want to make sure that people are aware of their rights…everybody has the freedom of speech, everybody has the freedom to protest.”