Some Latino Republicans in South Texas are breaking with President Donald Trump over his push to restrict birthright citizenship, raising concerns about its impact on families and questioning a policy many view as a core American principle, according to a sprawling report from The New York Times.
The shift comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on the legality of Trump's executive order seeking to limit automatic citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who are not citizens or legal permanent residents. For decades, birthright citizenship has been widely understood as guaranteed under the 14th Amendment.
In interviews with more than two dozen Latino Republicans in the region, most expressed support for maintaining the longstanding interpretation of citizenship to The New York Times. Samuel Garza, a 62-year-old Trump voter from McAllen, Texas, said the policy change left him reconsidering his political alignment.
"It is saddening," Garza said, adding that overturning the precedent "would hurt so many families who come here to contribute and make lives here." He later said, "I don't think I can vote Republican anymore."
Santiago Manrrique, a retired police officer in Edinburg, Texas, said he remains a Republican but opposes revisiting the issue. "If you are born in the United States, you are a citizen — it's pretty clear in the 14th Amendment," he said. While some respondents acknowledged concerns about potential abuse of the system, many argued that eliminating the right altogether would create more problems than it solves.
The debate has moved from political rhetoric to the courts, where justices will consider whether Trump's order aligns with the Constitution. The administration argues that the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction" has been misinterpreted, while opponents say the policy contradicts over a century of legal precedent and could create uncertainty for families.
Some conservative experts say recent scholarship has reopened questions about the historical meaning of the 14th Amendment, though many still expect the court to reject the administration's position.
The tensions in South Texas reflect broader shifts among Latino voters. While many moved toward Republicans in the 2024 election, recent polling suggests growing dissatisfaction. A November survey found Trump's unfavorable rating among Latino voters rising to 48%, with 55% disapproving of his handling of immigration policy.
For some in the region, the birthright citizenship debate has become a turning point. As Garza put it, the issue goes beyond policy and into identity, raising questions about belonging and the meaning of citizenship in communities long shaped by migration and shifting borders.
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