Mexico Strengthens Birthright Citizenship for Children Born to Noncitizens
TIJUANA, Mexico: In a significant aspect of its immigration policy, Mexico extends citizenship to children born within its borders, a practice that has garnered attention amid ongoing debates about birthright citizenship in the United States. Vivianne Petit Frere, a Haitian immigrant, operates a vibrant restaurant named Lakou Lakay just blocks from the U.S. border wall. The name, meaning “home” in Haitian Creole, reflects her family’s growing ties to Mexico, where her granddaughter was born two years ago, automatically granting her Mexican citizenship.
Context of Birthright Citizenship
While President Donald Trump has claimed that the U.S. is unique in offering birthright citizenship, this is not the case. Approximately three dozen countries, primarily in the Americas, provide automatic citizenship to children born on their soil, including Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. The U.S. Supreme Court is anticipated to address the constitutionality of Trump’s birthright citizenship order, which he signed on January 20, 2025, during his second term focused on immigration reform.
In April, Trump expressed his views on social media, stating, “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!” This perspective contrasts sharply with the realities of birthright citizenship in various nations, including Mexico.
The Haitian Experience in Mexico
Petit Frere fled Haiti in 2019, traveling through Brazil and the Panamanian jungle in pursuit of the American Dream. However, upon arriving in Mexico, she found opportunities that led her to establish a thriving restaurant. Her eatery serves traditional Haitian dishes and aims to foster cultural exchange, emphasizing the connection between her heritage and her new home.
In Tijuana, Petit Frere has become fluent in Spanish and is pursuing a degree in social work. She is proud to have welcomed the first generation of Mexican citizens in her family, her granddaughter Alexca. Despite the lack of official statistics on the number of children born to noncitizens who receive Mexican citizenship, the presence of tens of thousands of Haitians in Mexico is notable. In 2021, the United Nations reported that at least 10% of arriving Haitian women were pregnant.
Historical and Legal Framework
Birthright citizenship in the U.S. was established following the Civil War through the 14th Amendment, primarily to ensure citizenship for former slaves. The right was later extended to children of immigrants in the late 1800s, with the Supreme Court ruling that nearly anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, regardless of their parents’ legal status. This practice has roots dating back to the 1600s and 1700s, when European rulers encouraged migration to the American colonies.
César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, a law professor at Ohio State University, noted that the legal ties between European settlers and their home countries were strong, with birthright citizenship serving as a promise to those born within the monarch’s domain.
In contrast, the Dominican Republic has taken steps to deny citizenship to children born to undocumented parents, a policy that has left many stateless despite international condemnation. As of now, approximately 130,000 individuals remain without citizenship rights.
The Impact of Citizenship on Families
Petit Frere, originally from French Saint Martin, experienced deportation to Haiti at a young age. Her journey to a better life led her to Tijuana, where she was surprised to find her teenage daughter pregnant upon reuniting. Despite her initial disappointment, Petit Frere cherishes her granddaughter Alexca, grateful that she was born in Mexico rather than Haiti, where violence has displaced many.
Having a Mexican passport not only facilitates travel but also opens doors to opportunities that are often inaccessible to Haitian passport holders. Petit Frere emphasized that Alexca, as a Mexican citizen, will have more opportunities compared to her nieces, who were born in Brazil and automatically granted citizenship there.
Petit Frere and her daughter held permanent residency in Mexico prior to Alexca’s birth. However, many parents in Tijuana’s Haitian community lack legal status. The Mexican government allows parents of children with birthright citizenship to apply for permanent residency, which has benefited numerous families.
Community Advocacy and Future Aspirations
Petit Frere is actively pursuing Mexican citizenship to further expand her business. In addition to her entrepreneurial efforts, she serves as a community organizer with the Haitian Bridge Alliance, advocating for the rights of Haitian migrants. She aspires to obtain a degree in international migration, potentially from a U.S. university.
She remarked on the potential of immigrant children, stating that they are “proving to be the most outstanding in the world.” Petit Frere views attempts to limit birthright citizenship as potentially driven by jealousy.
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Published on 2026-06-24 15:42:00 • By the Editorial Desk
