business
President Donald Trump and the citizenship debate: A Tijuana story
By Julie Watson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· 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 Alamo Heights News
The debate over birthright citizenship sparked by President Donald Trump's order has significant implications for the Alamo Heights community, where many residents have ties to Mexico and other countries that guarantee automatic citizenship to children born on their territory. As the US Supreme Court prepares to weigh in on the issue, local families with mixed citizenship status may be watching with bated breath. The story of Vivianne Petit Frere, a Haitian immigrant who found a new home in Tijuana and is now raising a Mexican-born granddaughter, highlights the complexities of immigration and citizenship. In Alamo Heights, where international connections are common, the outcome of this debate could affect not only individual families but also the local economy and cultural landscape. As the Supreme Court's decision looms, Alamo Heights residents may be wondering how changes to birthright citizenship could impact their own community's diversity and growth.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News 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) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
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) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Julie Watson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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