Immigration at the crossroads

In less than three months, the United States will mark the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The 250th anniversary of the country’s founding will be a time of celebration, yet it comes as the nation debates fundamental questions about who can be an American.

On Jan. 20, 2025, the day he was sworn in for a second term as president, Donald Trump issued an executive order ending birthright citizenship. While the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution includes a provision stating that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” Trump’s order would exclude U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants and the children of parents residing in the U.S. with temporary legal authorization such as student or work visas.

The order is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments on April 1 and is expected to rule by early July—possibly on the eve of Independence Day.

Upon his return to the White House, Trump also moved swiftly to act on his campaign promise to restrict immigration to the U.S. and conduct “the largest domestic deportation operation” in U.S. history. 

He declared an emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, allowed undocumented immigrants to be deported without a court hearing, and greatly increased funding for detention and deportation operations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly has deported more than a half million people since the start of Trump’s second term.

When Trump took office in January 2025, 53.3 million immigrants lived in the U.S., more than ever before. But since then, the number has decreased—the first decline in the nation’s foreign-born population in a half-century.

Trump’s efforts to restrict citizenship and his deportation campaign have triggered demonstrations and debate nationwide as well as in the Rochester area.

This week, the Beacon asked readers to share their views on birthright citizenship and immigration generally. More than 325 responded. While the respondents didn’t all speak with one voice, the survey results indicate strong support for both birthright citizenship and immigration, and equally strong disapproval of the president’s immigration policies.

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, was a repudiation of the Supreme Court’s 1857 Dred Scott v. Sandford decision, which ruled that Black people of African descent were not U.S. citizens. During the April 1 oral arguments at the Supreme Court on birthright citizenship, another case, decided in 1898—United States v. Won Kim Ark—drew the sharpest focus. Courts have repeatedly held that it established birthright citizenship for anyone born in this country, including children born to parents who are not U.S. citizens, with few exceptions (such as children of foreign ambassadors). In Trump v. Barbara, however, the administration argues that the use of the word “domiciled” in the 1898 decision means it is limited to children of permanent residents.

Trump’s executive order is not retroactive. But by one estimate, it would affect some 200,000 children born in the U.S. each year and 6.3 million by 2050.

Asked if the U.S. should end birthright citizenship, 85% of Beacon readers said “no.” Nationwide, support for birthright citizenship has grown over the last two decades; today, about 62% of Americans support it, a New York Times analysis of polls found.

“Birthright citizenship was made a part of the Constitution and has been understood since its enactment as firmly establishing the rights of citizenship to virtually all who are born here,” wrote Beacon reader Andrea Green.

“Birthright citizenship in the United States should be a ‘given,’ backed by our Constitution,” Mary Smith agreed.

Others see a need to limit citizenship, but do not approve of Trump’s executive order.

“I support ending birthright citizenship for those whose parents are not permanent legal residents,” Kelvin Smith wrote. “However, I believe that requires a constitutional amendment; Trump’s executive order is not valid, and I don’t think Congress can change the current rules with a simple law.”

Immigration policies

An even larger share of Beacon readers oppose the Trump administration’s policies on immigration. Eighty-seven percent said they disapprove of the administration’s policies, with 81% responding “strongly disapprove.” By comparison, in a poll of U.S. adults conducted by Pew Research Center last October, 50% disapproved, with 36% saying they “strongly disapproved.”

“While we need strong borders and enforcement, and we should bar or deport criminals, the manner in which these matters are being addressed is appalling and heartbreaking to people of conscience,” commented Paul H. Bush. “There has to be a better, less-extreme way to do this.”

“The current administration’s attitude towards immigrants (aren’t we all descended from immigrants?) is inhumane, cruel, racist and shameful,” wrote Marilyn Rosen.

Mel Braverman believes Trump was right to restrict immigration, and “removing criminals is also fine.” However, he added, “the rest of Trump’s immigration policies are either immoral or unconstitutional.”

Readers in particular oppose the actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with 91 percent saying ICE has “gone too far.”

“The right to due process has been completely abandoned and obliterated by ICE in its brutally abusive arrest, detention and deportation of (often innocent, law-abiding) immigrants,” wrote Stephen L. Gaudioso.

In Janette Taylor’s view, “ICE is an abomination and should be abolished immediately.”

On one policy question, readers’ views were more varied. Asked whether individuals who do not have legal immigration status in this country should be deported, 76% responded “some,” while 5% said “all” and 19% replied “none.” (In the October 2025 Pew survey, the responses on this question were 51% “some,” 31% “all,” and 17% “none.”)

But 92% of those taking part in the Beacon survey support a path to citizenship for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, with 69% saying they strongly support it.

‘Immigrants are who we are’

When asked about immigration generally, readers overwhelmingly said it was good for the U.S. (98%) and the Rochester region (97%).

“The USA has always been a nation of immigrants. We are stronger when we welcome people and their cultures from countries around the world,” wrote Jonathan Brach. “The resurgence of xenophobia in our county, particularly against non-white immigrants, is disturbing.”

In Monroe County, roughly 9% of residents are foreign-born, compared with more than 15% nationwide. In the city of Rochester, immigrants account for nearly 10% of the population. Earlier in its history, Rochester had an even larger foreign-born population: In 1870, when the city ranked among the 25 largest U.S. cities, 34 percent of its residents were foreign-born.

Since the middle of the 20th century, Rochester’s population has fallen sharply, and for much of that period, immigrants as a share of all residents also declined. But in this century, renewed growth in the foreign-born population has helped mitigate declines or slower growth in the native population.

“Immigration is and has always been at the core of our national strength. Nature teaches us about the power of diversity and interdependence; monocultures fail,” observed Amy Stockwell.

“Immigrants are who made and continue to make this country,” agreed Ellen Nakhnikian. “Immigrants are who we are. It’s like ripping our own heart out to treat them like the other.”

More than 325 readers took part in the Beacon’s survey, conducted April 13-14. Participants were not asked about their political affiliation. In previous Beacon reader surveys, however, the share of respondents who identified themselves as Democrats typically has been 60% or more, compared with 41% in the latest Monroe County Board of Elections enrollment report.

The following are all signed written comments of survey participants. Many additional unsigned responses were submitted. As a matter of policy, the Beacon does not post unsigned comments.

Share your thoughts on birthright citizenship and immigration.

I never thought the United States of America would become a “papers please” country. I studied abroad in Russia and everyone had to carry passports in case they are stopped by the police and I remember thinking it was such a wonderful thing that I’d never had to do that in the US. Now my mother, US citizen-born in Brazil, is rightfully worried she will be stopped for having brown skin and an accent and she can’t trust that they will even bother to check if she’s a citizen. I have an Argentinian friend whose mother (also now a US citizen) lived through the Videla regime who says she’s not going to go through it again. She’s leaving to live in Spain. I can’t blame her.
—Maria Jacqueline Evans

Immigration makes us a stronger nation.
—Thomas J. Perry

Our country is founded by and built by immigrants—if you are born here you are a citizen, end of story. As far as deportation, if you commit a crime, you should go back to the country you are from—NEVER ever should folks be hunted or stalked or picked up off the street because they look like they are immigrants. The needless trauma that families have been put through is unconscionable.
—Eve Andersen

I think any child born to a woman who has been living in the USA (documented) for longer than one (1) year, irrespective of her Immigration status, should be granted birthright citizenship.
—Giuseppe Erba

The USA has always been a nation of immigrants. We are stronger when we welcome people and their cultures from countries around the world. The resurgence of xenophobia in our county, particularly against non-white immigrants, is disturbing.
—Jonathan Brach

Question #1 did not include the option to agree or disagree with your statement with the caveat of President Trump’s order to amend the 14th amendment. I do not agree with ending birthright citizenship, but I do agree with President Trump’s amendment to limit the 14th amendment to those that have immigrated to the U.S. legally and to U.S. citizens and their families.
—Bentley Hutchings

I support ending birthright citizenship for those whose parents are not permanent legal residents. However, I believe that requires a constitutional amendment; Trump’s executive order is not valid, and I don’t think Congress can change the current rules with a simple law. Times have changed since 1868, and our rules need to reflect the reality of easy and transient global access.
—Kelvin Smith

Any “law-enforcement” agency in the US, such as ICE, has to obey the law and be subject to the consequences of breaking the law. I, like probably the majority of Beacon readers and the citizens of Monroe County, have immigrant parents or grandparents or great-grandparents. All the “vetted” research shows that immigrants, like my grandparents, have a very positive impact on our country’s social and economic success. Grounds for deportation should be limited to violent criminal behavior, whether immigrant or not, including actions on Jan. 6th and efforts to undermine institutions and laws that protect and strengthen our democracy.
—Larry Broser

The United States already has a wonderful framework of laws designed to welcome qualified applicants into our country. We should continue to respect and enforce these existing laws, but focus our efforts on making the process significantly faster. Improving the speed and efficiency for people to apply and be accepted would strengthen our immigration system while honoring our legal standards.
—Mark Gianniny

U.S. birthright citizenship is non-negotiable.
—Kieran Hetzler

Illegal immigrants that have more serious criminal violations should be deported. Crimes like driving without insurance, etc. is more understandable, and should be forgiven, but monitored. Immigration in our country has strengthened us, always. It’s hard to find jobs, get health care, food, etc. for even our own US born citizens, and that’s a failure of our policies, so there shouldn’t be malice directed to any particular group.
—Carol Schaubroeck

There is no credit to either part, and the president, for the present situation. Their concern for humanity is outweighed by their need to be powerful.
—Frances Powarzynski

Immigration is and has always been at the core of our national strength. Nature teaches us about the power of diversity and interdependence;  monocultures fail.
—Amy Stockwell

Unless one is descendent from the first peoples on this continent, we are all either descendants of immigrants or immigrants. As the poem on the Statue of Liberty implies, all are welcome here. Too many immigrants to count have made priceless contributions to the growth and prosperity of this country. The current administration is catering to a false narrative by extreme white nationalists that undocumented people are all de-facto dangerous criminals taking advantage of our welfare systems. When in fact the vast majority are hard working people just looking for a better future for their children. Some take dirty, back breaking jobs that would go unfilled without them. ICE CBP agents are not held to the same standards that ordinary law enforcement officers must comply with, the lack of transparent accountability and an obscene budget allocation gives the administration its own unconstitutional domestic enforcement arm that they can use for any purpose they deem an “emergency.” I can’t understand why, under many previous administrations Congress and the Executive and Judicial branches have not been able to implement comprehensive immigration reform. Finally, it’s beyond comprehension that Stephen Miller, an unelected, cruel, and dangerous individual has so much power adversely affecting millions of human beings. Hopefully Democrats will coalesce around a few issues that citizens care about and win both houses of Congress this fall, and can begin the process of rolling back some of the draconian measures put in place by the current administration.
—Franklin Orienter

The administration’s immigration policies have clearly shown us that they are racist and  xenophobic. We must vote to remove this administration and then find a way to release the prisoners of this system, give others from foreign countries a chance to return and work hard to develop an immigration plan that is fair and humane.
—Barbara M. Quinn

There are three pillars that we should build our immigration policy on. 1)  We should have secure borders. Controlled entry into the country is a must for the long-term success of our country. 2) Immigration is good for our country, so we should encourage a significant flow of immigrants into our country. 3) Every immigrant, regardless of immigration status, should be treated with the dignity to which every person is entitled. This implies that anyone seeking entry, or here without legal permission, should have access to timely due process and adequate living conditions. I believe that if we build our policy on these pillars, immigration will no longer be a major political issue.
—David Powe

You cannot paint everything with the same brush stroke! We have the technology to process and analyze 15 million mc/visa transfers every 10 minutes 24/7 and know every detail about the user. Why can’t we review 15 million people on a case to case basis with good analysis and determine who is part of our society and who is destroying our society? If you love this country, live a good life and tread on no one else then stay and be part of our culture!!!!
—Warren Miller

Immigration brings us the best and brightest of the world’s nations—America needs them and can deal with undesirables who might also come in. Our history shows that America can deal successfully and constructively with people of different cultures to build a strong, thriving nation. Protectionism based in fear and laziness does not and will not bring good results for us, only for our competitors.
—Michael Leach

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.”
—Deborah Pulley

Simply stated, both birthright citizenship and immigration are core to US values within our unique democracy and make our country stronger than it would be otherwise.
—Bill Wynne

Having fought illegal immigration enforcement for 20 years, there is no surprise that birthright citizenship is in danger. The fact that SCOTUS has even taken the case is the real danger no matter its response. For anyone discussing immigration, I would suggest reading 8 USC 1357, immigration law, to really understand how corrupt our federal government has been through four presidents. We have been monitored by the federal government, been threatened by federal agents and NY State Police, chased Border Patrol agents through the woods as they chase a pregnant woman, rescued children on the side of the road abandoned when agents detain their parents, observed warrantless detention in court rooms and helped to change NY state and federal law, which is again being broken; but until now I have never seen murder at the hands of federal agents. For sure, dishonesty is a code of conduct for DHS. As long as this continues we will not have a nation with the vision our forefathers had promised.
—John L. Ghertner, MD

Restricting immigration was good and necessary. Removing criminals is also fine. The rest of Trump’s immigration policies are either immoral or unconstitutional.
—Mel Braverman

Obviously some immigrants may have a criminal background but the vast majority are not criminals, they just want to come to our Country for a new and better way of life. If that is their primary motivation let us receive them graciously. Peace and courage.
—Michael Bausch

The Constitution is explicit about the right to citizenship for people who are born in the U.S. Any attempt suggest otherwise is silly at best and nefarious at worst. While I recognize this isn’t the early 2000s, I dream of a reality where we can have a serious, informed debate about the likelihood of a path to citizenship for people who arrived in the U.S. seeking asylum or entered unlawfully. It is a deeply complex reality of life for real people with painfully real implications and discussing it without acknowledging that context as a baseline is foolish. Starting from a place of empathy should be somewhere we should all begin.
—Seth Palmer

We need to finally enact a “grand compromise” that discourages future illegal immigration while encouraging well-managed legal immigration and legalizing many who arrived previously (especially as children). It’s probably also time to end birthright citizenship for those who have no other connection to our country, but that will require a constitutional amendment, not presidential fiat. Ideally that would be done in the context of several other bipartisan amendments to make our democracy work better.
—Peter Collinge

There will probably be a compromise, eventually. I think that denying citizenship if the mother has been in the country less than 6 months, whether legally or not, is reasonable. It would answer those who are worried about “tourism citizenship.”
—David Newman

Question 4 needs more nuance. If someone is convicted of a violent crime then probably deportation should be considered, but no blanket deportations. Also, mitigating circumstances must be considered, for example, if an undocumented immigrant is attacked, he/she must have a right to defend him or herself.
—Ruth Yanoff

Allowing immigrants to enter legally and seek citizenship is basic to the American way of life. We need a system that allows legal opportunities.
—Brian F. Curran

1. We need immigration to support economic growth. The Trump administration is doing all it can to make immigration, legal or otherwise, harder and less attractive. 2. Birthright citizenship is provided for in the U.S. Constitution, and we’re far from the only country that offers it. If you think it’s being misapplied, go to court. If you think it should be eliminated entirely, work on passing an amendment to the Constitution; presidential executive orders aren’t a legitimate path.
—Martin Nott

Birthright citizenship was made a part of the Constitution and has been understood since its enactment as firmly establishing the rights of citizenship to virtually all who are born here. It must remain as an important part of our Constitution.
—Andrea Green

If the United States moved beyond capitalism—giving up its neo-colonial/imperial ways—these questions around immigration and enforcement of such would barely be a blip on the geopolitical radar. Once we stop “acting” (now that “being” is an open question) like a hegemon and accept a multipolar international order, we can work with other countries to craft the free, legal movement of peoples around the world similar to the free trade agreements we’ve created for capital. We can get a lot more creative when it comes to constructing policies promoting the free flow of peoples without resorting to harsh, criminal bans, roundups, lockups, and deportations. If our civil and human rights are going to live up to their lofty billings, we need to make sure they apply to the foreign asylum-seeker, nomad, refugee, stranger, and traveler in our midst!
—Brett T Goldstein, PhD

I support birthright citizenship and good immigration policy. However, there needs to be a humane path forward to addressing these issues. Gestapo-style enforcement is morally wrong. This is not who we are as a people. America has been the light of the world. While we need strong borders and enforcement, and we should bar or deport criminals, the manner in which these matters are being addressed is appalling and heartbreaking to people of conscience. There has to be a better, less-extreme way to do this.
—Paul H. Bush

We are a country of immigrants, so the current administration’s immigration tactics seem to promote white, European people and spread disinformation about immigrant crime. I believe our current immigration system is a mess, but it makes sense to offer a path to citizenship to people already here and create clear policies for seasonal workers and people who want to become U.S. citizens in other categories. Many farmers depend on workers from other countries; let’s just be upfront about that. As for birthright citizenship, it’s in the Constitution and just seems fair.
—Barb Murphy

This is a much needed survey. Thank you.
—Steve Jarose

Please distinguish between legal and illegal immigration. Please distinguish between those who come to contribute to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans and those who come to detract from it. All recent news coverage is people yelling at each other over their interpretation of our “broken immigration system.” I would appreciate unbiased articles describing the process involved to become a legal US resident, where the problems lie and what’s been done to fix it over the decades we have been complaining about it.
—Stephanie Siegrist

ICE is Trump’s GESTAPO.
—George VanArsdale

Politicians and lay people have long discussed the flaws in the US immigration system, but we have yet to fix it. It is too expensive to become a citizen and the process takes too long. Once people have been vetted, and eligible for citizenship, it should be non-revokable in order to not create a tiered system of citizenship. Birthright citizenship should not be up for debate. In my opinion, immigration policies of the current administration are rooted in racism and classism. Also, the aggressive policies fail to acknowledge the shrinking US population and its impact on the workforce. We need many people/citizens/workers to have a strong country with a strong economy.
—Diane Watkins

Let me start with the (true) cliche: we are a nation of immigrants. Which begs the question … how far back are Trump and his criminal cronies planning to go if birthright citizenship is abolished? The parents? The parents’ parents? Only people who can trace their ancestry to before we broke away from Britain can stay? Their attacks on immigrants and birthright citizenship amount to a xenophobic and murderous smoke screen while they loot the government and tear things down in the name of power and filling their pockets. It’s an affront to everything I believe.
—Jessica Olin

Anti-immigration policies are based on racism and the inability to understand subtleties of human interaction. Actual criminals should be treated by the courts the same, no matter their status of citizenship, and people in the country “illegally” should receive equal protection of the courts to work toward their citizenship. The only thing to be afraid of from immigration is one’s desire for white supremacy. ICE is an abomination and should be abolished immediately. The U.S. is multi-cultural, no matter how some people try to pretend that it isn’t. Birthright citizenship is codified in our law, and can’t be swept aside by bigots.
—Janette Taylor

Immigrants are who made and continue to make this country. Immigrants are who we are. It’s like ripping our own heart out to treat them like the other. My own father was an immigrant. The truth is that immigrants contribute to this country in every way, including economically. But facts don’t matter today. We treat immigrants like the bad guy at our own peril.
—Ellen Nakhnikian

Unless you are Native American, all US citizens were/are immigrants. I believe that birthright citizenship is guaranteed under the 14th Amendment.
—Stella Slaight

The right to due process has been completely abandoned and obliterated by ICE in its brutally abusive arrest, detention and deportation of (often innocent, law-abiding) immigrants. Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution and offers a path to the opportunity to contribute to America’s growth and prosperity.
—Stephen L Gaudioso

The US is suffering from a failure to assimilate. Many of us remember grandparents and parents who were legal immigrants and who raised their children to be Americans. The millions of immigrants who came here illegally have lived in the shadows of American society—unable to pursue educational and work opportunities because of their illegal status. More’s the pity. Our economic success and our success as a society relies upon our ability and willingness to encourage our people to improve their lot through the opportunities we enjoy. For a clear picture of what legal immigration can do for us, take a look at Miami. Cuban refugees who set foot on dry land become legal residents immediately, and SE Florida’s economy reflects the benefits of that approach. The children of Cuban immigrants can pursue all of the opportunities that our society offers, including becoming Secretary of State.
—John Calia

Birthright citizenship in the United States should be a “given,” backed by our Constitution. If, upon adulthood, a person does not want to be a US citizen, they should be able to move out of this country and into a country of their choice, paying their own way.
—Mary Smith

Birthright citizenship is in the constitution. End of story.
—Barbara James

The current administration’s attitude towards immigrants (aren’t we all descended from immigrants?) is inhumane, cruel, racist and shameful.
—Marilyn Rosen

E pluribus unum. Emma Lazarus, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest- tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” From the Statue of Liberty to the Statue of Bigotry. Who knew that Making America Great Again would involve millions who cherish confederate and Nazi flags and KKK tattoos. For white northern European Christians citizenship was often automatic for such immigrants. Many say their ancestors came the “right way,” when in fact many were fleeing their debts, the draft, or the law. See Trump’s grandfather or the Einstein Visa First Lady. Immigrants pay over $80 billion more in taxes over costs every year. The current administration’s policies realize the KKK dreams of restricting immigration to WASPs as part of their racist agenda in the late 19th century. The legislators who wrote the Fourteenth Amendment said it was to make Jefferson’s words that “all men are created equal” a reality not limited to white men. If you voted for ICE thugs and concentration camps, you need to leave the country.
—James Bertolone

It appears it takes years for a person to gain citizenship. The vetting process by immigration agents is not fully funded and manned which creates a backlog. I think most immigrants want to enter legally (but) the US has a laborious system.
—Rich Byers

There is no doubt that the Trump administration and all of its actions have been disastrous. It will take many years to get back to normal.
—Deborah Onslow

Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and should be changed, but it CAN NOT be changed by executive fiat. The change requires a constitution amendment, which is a long and arduous process so that the Constitution cannot be changed lightly or at the whim of a single individual, even the President.
—Nancy Hewitt

With a birthrate below 2 since the 1970s the only reason the USA population has increased is because of immigration. Immigration and asylum are actually foundations of the United States.
—James Croop

The immigration process is a mess and it’s unfair. It’s overly complicated, relies on a lottery with outrageous odds against anyone attempting to come to this country. We have a shortage of labor, of younger people entering the system that keeps everything running. We need to address the white fears of changing culture directly—there’s no other justification for what is in place now. There are a couple really clear explainers available: www.openlawlab.com/2011/10/20/a-very-instructive-fun-cartoon-flow-chart-on/ and https://immigrationroad.com/green-card/immigration-flowchart-roadmap-to-green-card.php
—Loret Steinberg

Paul Ericson is Rochester Beacon executive editor.

The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing  [email protected]