How the SCOTUS birthright case could affect Bexar babies
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On average, 5,400 babies were born each year to immigrant mothers in Bexar County from 2016 to 2024, according to CDC data — underscoring how many local families could be affected by potential changes to birthright citizenship.
Why it matters: The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over President Trump's executive order restricting birthright citizenship, in a case that could reshape who is recognized as an American at birth.
Threat level: Trump's order would limit citizenship to children born in the U.S. only if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or is lawfully present in the country, potentially cutting off affected children from work authorization, Social Security numbers, passports, some public benefits and, eventually, voting rights.
- According to a 2025 report by UCLA's Latino Policy and Politics Institute, the order would disproportionately affect immigrants of color: About 75% of children born to noncitizens are Latino, 12% are Asian American, 6% are white and 5% are Black.
- The order would not apply retroactively, meaning children already born would not lose their U.S. citizenship, according to Pew Research Center.
Caveat: The CDC data cited above does not show whether these mothers are naturalized citizens or otherwise lawfully present in the country.
- It's unclear how many people the order would affect.
Zoom out: Immigrants drove 21.6% of San Antonio-area population growth from 2018 to 2023 and grew nearly twice as fast as the overall population (12.7% vs. 7.1%), according to a city-commissioned report.
What they're saying: "This case will have enormous consequences for the security of all Americans. The Trump Administration looks forward to making its case on the issue of birthright citizenship on behalf of the American people," a White House spokesperson told Axios in a statement.
The other side: Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project, told Axios he expects the Supreme Court to rule against the president.
- He said a ruling the other way would amount to "open season on questioning the citizenship" of Americans, suggesting there are "real Americans" and others "who don't belong in this country."