HAF joins amicus brief urging Supreme Court to uphold birthright citizenship

On February 26, the Hindu American Foundation joined 57 faith-based organizations to file an amicus brief in Trump v. Barbara, which is being reviewed by the US Supreme Court this term. Immigrant parents have felt unsettled since January 2025, when the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order trying to limit birthright citizenship. But the Constitution is clear – children born within the United States are born citizens.



Not only is birthright citizenship a Constitutional right, it is a moral imperative for Hindus to welcome others and recognize the world as our family. As explained in the Maha Upanishad: “The small-minded think that one person is a relative, another is a stranger. The whole world is one family – this is how the magnanimous live.” (6.71-72). The Taittiriya Upanishad teaches “treat your guest as Divine.” (1.11.2). Hindus join many other faith communities who feel the same responsibility towards immigrants to this nation, ensuring their children are born with the safety of citizenship.



Birthright citizenship is key to ensuring religious diversity in this country. Hindus are overwhelmingly recent immigrants to the US, with over 77% of Hindu Americans born outside the US. Without the guarantee of birthright citizenship for their children, there is too much risk bringing their families to this nation. More importantly, the promise of religious freedom becomes elusive if new immigrants cannot establish roots here and continue their religious traditions. Ultimately, the US benefits from the rich diversity of culture and religions.



Needhy Shah, Esq., HAF Sr. Legal Director, commented:



“I have seen countless families in our community take the difficult path of setting up their life in a new country, navigating the challenges of raising children in a place that they are still trying to understand, and fighting to continue their religious traditions. Birthright citizenship is essential to make these families feel safe coming here and staying here.”