SCCLRLA Official Statement Opposing the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders Targeted at the Immigration, LGBTQ+, and Minority Communities in the United States
February 3, 2025
Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association unequivocally states its opposition to the Executive Orders issued by the Trump Administration, which include stripping the right to citizenship from the children of immigrants— a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The SCCLRLA opposes the administration's policies, including: banning asylum and refugee admissions; militarizing the southern border; eliminating protections for sensitive locations (such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship); conducting mass deportations; targeting sanctuary cities; terminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) programs; officially recognizing only two sexes; and reversing orders that protect LGBTQ+ rights.
The President seeks to reinterpret the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" to prohibit the federal government from recognizing automatic birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents without lawful status. The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, overturning the Dred Scott decision that denied Black Americans the rights and protections of U.S. citizenship. In 1898, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that children born in the United States to immigrant parents were entitled to U.S. citizenship, and the principle has remained an undisturbed constitutional bedrock for over a century.
Additionally, the President’s Executive Order titled "Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion" is based on a racist ideology that portrays immigrants from the southern border as an invasion and frames Latinx immigrants as a threat to the American people. Asylum and refugee status are fundamental components of U.S. law, and international agreements require us to protect those fleeing persecution from other countries.
This assault on the most vulnerable members of our society is both reckless and unjust, and it violates our Constitution and established laws. Immigrants, including those from Latin America and around the globe, have a long and significant history of contributing to the development of the United States, shaping the nation through their hard work and determination. Birthright citizenship is a core principle that strengthens and energizes our nation. These Executive Orders attempt to repeat one of the gravest mistakes in American history by creating a permanent underclass of individuals who were born here, yet denied their full rights as Americans. This represents a significant step backward for the United States and a direct attack on our BIPOC and immigrant communities.
Furthermore, the President's relentless attacks on DEI programs and the LGBTQ+ community are not only harmful to the progress of the United States but are a blatant violation of the civil rights of American citizens. The United States should be a place of safety and equality for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The DEI initiatives were specifically designed to create fair and inclusive environments in businesses and schools, especially for historically marginalized communities.
The idea that a sitting President can strip away rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, along with established laws and regulations, is both dangerous and un-American. We will not stand idly by in the face of these injustices. Through our Policy and Community Engagement Committees, we are committed to safeguarding the rights of all members of our community, regardless of their nationality, ancestry, cultural heritage, immigration status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We will continue to collaborate with other bar and attorney associations to protect these civil rights, and we want all of our members to know that the SCCLRLA is a safe and inclusive space for everyone. ¡SI SE PUEDE!
In Solidarity,
Stephanie Roque-Hurtado, 2025 President on behalf of
Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association
Felipe Romero, 2025 Vice-President on behalf of
Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association
Ana Raquel Gómez-Pérez, 2025 Treasurer on behalf of
Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association
Isaac D’Amore Nieblas, 2025 Secretary on behalf of
Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association