TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — Vivianne Petit Frere has established her vibrant Haitian restaurant, Lakou Lakay, just blocks away from the towering U.S. border wall in Tijuana. The name translates to "home" in Haitian Creole, symbolizing her family's deepening roots in Mexico, where her granddaughter Alexca was born two years ago, automatically granting her Mexican citizenship.
In Mexico, citizenship is extended to children born within its borders, similar to the United States. President Donald Trump has claimed that the U.S. is the only nation that offers such birthright citizenship, particularly to children of undocumented immigrants. However, this assertion is inaccurate; approximately three dozen countries, including Canada, Brazil, and Mexico, also provide automatic citizenship to those born within their territory.
Pursuing the “American Dream,” Petit Frere fled Haiti in 2019. Her journey took her from Brazil, through the treacherous Panamanian jungle, with aspirations of settling in Florida with her relatives. However, she soon found that her dream of crossing the border was unattainable, while Mexico presented a welcoming alternative.
The name of Petit Frere's restaurant is emblematic of community and belonging in Haitian culture. The walls are adorned with signs in Spanish, English, and Creole, emphasizing her mission to foster authentic cultural exchanges between the two communities. Her menu features traditional Haitian dishes, such as fish with plantains and rice and beans. She expresses the sentiment that "every dish tells a story, every detail connects cultures."
In just over five years in Tijuana, Petit Frere has not only built a flourishing business but also mastered the Spanish language and is pursuing a degree in social work. The birth of her granddaughter Alexca has marked the first generation of her family to become Mexican citizens. Petit Frere stated that while she had legal residency before Alexca's birth, many parents in the Haitian community without legal status have secured permanent residency through their children born in Mexico.
The United States enshrined birthright citizenship in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution following the Civil War to ensure citizenship for former slaves. This right has been interpreted to include immigrants' children since the late 1800s. Legal historians trace the practice back to the colonial era, where European rulers facilitated migration to the Americas with the assurance of birthright citizenship for their children born overseas.
In stark contrast, the Dominican Republic revoked birthright citizenship in 2007, denying citizenship to the children of undocumented parents. This decision led to tens of thousands remaining stateless, raising international concerns over human rights violations.
Petit Frere, originally from French Saint Martin, was deported to Haiti at the age of six. Her journey toward a better life was fraught with challenges, particularly when her daughter became pregnant while attempting to reunite with her in Tijuana. Now, Petit Frere expresses gratitude that Alexca was born in Mexico, as it provides her with more opportunities compared to Haiti, where escalating gang violence has displaced many.
A Mexican passport offers advantages for travel, especially given the difficulties faced by Haitian passport holders, who encounter strict visa requirements globally. Petit Frere's desire to secure a Mexican citizenship for herself will facilitate business expansion and enhance her community work as an organizer with the Haitian Bridge Alliance.
Petit Frere aspires to pursue further studies in international migration, acknowledging the contributions of immigrant children. She posits that Trump's attempts to restrict birthright citizenship may stem from jealousy over the successes of immigrant families like hers.
