The soil beneath your feet does not belong to you. Your neighbors may not be your people. I’ll not leave it there.

Under the approval of President Trump, the determination of the continuance of birthright citizenship in the United States is now pending for a Supreme Court decision in June. Birthright citizenship is the right entitled to those born in the United States to be an automatic citizen.

This push is in culmination to stricter immigration policies in this administration, and has brought about crucial debate, bringing in new perspectives.

Few countries have this right, however, this inclusion of policy in our country brings into question what is innately American. Additionally, this removal of law can be perceived as a threat to citizens given this right. 

Leonel Garcia (12) is the child of immigrant parents. His parents moved to America in the 90s, with a glass half full and pockets empty, searching for an opportunity in the land of the free. 

However, Garcia has experienced firsthand his parents’ disillusionment in recent years. “My parents’ understanding of America has changed. With recent policies, it feels like we are tarnishing the freedom that America stands for,” Garcia said. 

With this decision pending, Garcia feels the weight of the gavel like the sword of Damocles.

“Imagine a twenty-year-old, who, when the time expires, will have to leave their home, to a country they do not know,” Garcia said.

Garcia is not the only student to share this awareness of shadow.

Maryiah Shorter (12), is the daughter of an immigrant parent. Shorter forgets not the root of purpose in her father’s move.

“My dad came here in the hopes to provide an education. It was important to him that I go to high school, and receive schooling. To him, America was different, a land of opportunity,” Shorter said.

In more ways than one is American an exception, a theoretical for blinding freedom. However, the indication that America is one of the few countries around the world that has birthright citizenship is being utilized for opposition to the policy.

It can be argued that, as other countries do not participate in this practice, perhaps, we need not be an exception, perhaps there is wisdom in the majority. One could think this way, surely. 

But let us not forget the duality of an issue. The nuance of perspective. The evolution of thought that lies within us all.

Should we not hoist our features, appeal to our better angels, exude radiance from atop our salient? 

We go further, towards, an uphill precipice not to tiptoe over the edge by means of cover, but to arise as a monument, a piece of geography, unwavering in the exemplification of our virtues. Winds of demagogues cannot move us.

Then, the question is, how do we achieve such?

Is reversion preservation in the long-term, or do we risk moral erosion? Does justice justify cowardice in the name of a greater theoretical? Or, is strength to acknowledge our structural integrity, and bring on a storm? We are an exception to be an exemplar, will we satisfy for less? Where does our loyalty to the flag end, inches from the White House and along a border? 

Let us remind ourselves of who our country is built upon. Our ideals birthed from a novelty of a hope for a better nation, a greater world, a brighter future. Our diversity binds us together, for the universality of hope is one that simply will not crumble under fear. A melting pot binds.

Are we too good for the best of human nature? Will we hold our candle high on our hill?

Despite the cynicism all may feel, our perpetual pursuance of better world, a better life, drives us.

Let us all have an immigrant spirit.

“Hope. Times are hard right now, and people are struggling. But we have power, and choice, and many voices. Hope,” Shorter said.

I’ll leave it there.