Voices: Birthright citizenship is deeply rooted in Black American history, and it should remain in place

America is at a crossroads. In light of the events taking place in our community, state and country, there has been nothing, in my view, more important than the debate on birthright citizenship.

The protests in Utah and in major American cities are absolutely heartbreaking to watch. As the pastor of a small and humble ministry, I am in steadfast prayer that a peaceful resolution will be reached sooner rather than later.

The sensitivity of the immigration debate lies with birthright citizenship, the future of our country and how birthright citizenship is defined. While there are many different opinions and arguments on this issue, I believe we must travel back in time and revisit when the 14th Amendment was created — and for whom it was written: newly emancipated slaves and their descendants.

The 14th Amendment reversed the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott ruling by granting citizenship to all those born in the United States. It was 1866, the Civil War had ended and the South needed to be reacclimatized into the Union. Protections had to be put in place for Black Americans. The 14th Amendment was not just as a first step for healing and reconciliation, but also to honor the great and courageous black men who fought until victory for the Union army while not having any rights or protections for themselves.

The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, now known as the Reconstruction Amendments, are the cornerstone in which we — the descendants of slaves — rest upon to this day. Our foundation goes back to the 13 colonies and the inception of the United States in 1776. We were here on this land, rooted in the soil. Our blood was sown in the land.

Juneteenth celebrations, like those occurring around the state and nation today, are a reminder for the living descendants of slaves — Black Americans — of their perseverance and determination. They are a reminder of the promise that America has made to keep that birthright citizenship. The reconstruction amendments stand testament to the Constitution and its obligation for equal protection under the law.

Many great men and women have died under the flag of the United States to make this a great nation for all. Our generation is now tasked with bringing about a resolution to this matter of illegal immigration, citizenship and who is defined as an American. I am one who believes that, at the end of this tumultuous time, the rule of law will stand regardless of race or whatever part of the world an individual has come from, and that we all have to be accountable to the laws in which we are governed by.

The debate will be intense in the coming months. But while lawyers, historians and constitutional scholars debate, we Black Americans will continue to celebrate Juneteenth. I will be grateful for how far God has brought us from the former plantations of the South and all the struggles we’ve overcome for more than four centuries.

We know that the arguments will turn back to our status in the United States of America and whether we should have the right to return to our ancestral land in spite of being in America for nearly 14 generations. The United States’ legal minds will have their opportunity to shape the future policies of our land, and I pray they have the grace and wisdom from above to do what is right by all the people of America: Keep birthright citizenship in place.

In the meantime, I am reminded of Isaiah 32:18: “And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”

No matter what, I will be at peace and allow the spirit of almighty God to lead Black Americans.

Pastor Andre’ M. Boyd is the founder and Pastor of Tuviah Christian Ministries. He and his wife, Leona (Sunshine) Boyd, are also part of the Fellowship of Prophetic Churches and Ministries based in Northern Virginia. Their son Jordan serves in the United States Air Force where, as a family, they reside in Farmington.

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