business
President Donald Trump and the citizenship debate: A Tijuana story
By Julie Watson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 24, 2026
· 5 min read
Vivianne Petit Frere's brightly painted Haitian restaurant sits blocks from the towering U.S. border wall in Tijuana.Called Lakou Lakay, the name in Haitian creole means “home,” and it reflects her family’s deepening roots in their adopted homeland where her granddaughter was born two years ago, ...
Key takeaway Called Lakou Lakay, the name in Haitian creole means “home,” and it reflects her family’s deepening roots in their adopted homeland where her granddaughter was born two years ago, automatically making her a Mexican citizen.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The debate over birthright citizenship has significant implications for the San Antonio community, where many residents have family ties to Mexico and other countries that offer automatic citizenship to children born within their borders. As the US Supreme Court prepares to weigh in on the constitutionality of President Trump's birthright citizenship order, local families with mixed citizenship status may be watching with bated breath. The story of Vivianne Petit Frere, who fled Haiti and found a new home in Tijuana, highlights the complexities of immigration and citizenship in the Americas. San Antonio, with its own rich cultural heritage and history of immigration, may see a ripple effect from any changes to US citizenship laws. As the city continues to grow and diversify, it is likely that the issue of birthright citizenship will remain a pressing concern for local residents, businesses, and community leaders.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Vivianne Petit Frere's brightly painted Haitian restaurant sits blocks from the towering U.S. border wall in Tijuana.Called Lakou Lakay, the name in Haitian creole means “home,” and it reflects her family’s deepening roots in their adopted homeland where her granddaughter was born two years ago, ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Julie Watson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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