Filipino Lawyers of Washington Supports NAPABA Amicus Brief Defending Birthright Citizenship

Seattle, Washington
March 16, 2026

The Filipino Lawyers of Washington (FLOW) proudly supports the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s (NAPABA) amicus curiae brief dated February 25, 2026, before the United States Supreme Court defending the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment. Oral argument is scheduled for April 1, 2026.

FLOW joined NAPABA and 47 other affiliate bar associations nationwide in urging the Court to affirm longstanding constitutional precedent protecting the right to citizenship for all persons born in the United States. The amicus brief emphasizes that the Citizenship Clause, as interpreted in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, affirms that children born on U.S. soil are citizens regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

Birthright citizenship is a cornerstone of American constitutional law and reflects the nation’s commitment to equality, inclusion, and the rule of law. As the brief explains, attempts to narrow the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment distort both the text of the Constitution and the historical context in which it was adopted, including congressional intent that the Citizenship Clause apply broadly to children of immigrants.

FLOW joins this effort because proposed restrictions on birthright citizenship would disproportionately harm immigrant communities, including Asian Americans, Filipino Americans and Pacific Islanders, who comprise a significant share of the nation’s immigrant population. Such change would undermine settled constitutional protections and create uncertainty for families, communities, and future generations of Americans.

“Birthright citizenship is not a political preference—it is a constitutional guarantee rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment and affirmed by over a century of Supreme Court precedent,” said Mario Cava, FLOW President. “FLOW stands with NAPABA in defending the rule of law and ensuring that the promises of equal citizenship apply to all children born in the United States.”

FLOW is honored to join the national coalition of bar associations advocating for the preservation of fundamental constitutional protections and the fair administration of immigration and citizenship laws. Through this amicus effort, FLOW continues its commitment to advancing justice, equity, and opportunity for the Filipino American and broader Asian American communities.

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About Filipino Lawyers of Washington (FLOW)

The Filipino Lawyers of Washington is an affinity bar organization dedicated to supporting Filipino American legal professionals, promoting diversity in the legal profession, and advocating for issues affecting the Filipino American and broader communities.