Statement from All4Ed CEO Dr. Amy Loyd on today’s SCOTUS Rulings on Birthright Citizenship and Transgender Students
Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Contact: Troi Dixon
Email: tdixon@all4ed.org
Washington, D.C. – “Today’s decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States have significant impact on us all, especially our learners and their families. Immigrants and their descendants have made vast contributions to our nation, our economy, our schools, and our civic life. The president is a second-generation immigrant, himself. All4Ed applauds the High Court for recognizing that children born on our soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status, are citizens. We are also grateful the Court struck down the Executive Order that sought to deny them that right. The nearly four million children of undocumented immigrants in our schools can breathe easier knowing that their status remains secure.
“And while we celebrate the Court’s defense of birthright citizenship, All4Ed and many families were devasted as we learned the decisions in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox. These cases are just the latest in a series of attacks on transgender students’ access to safe and affirming schools. These cases, and the state laws they uphold, set a standard where an entire class of young people can be systemically shut out of the important benefits that school athletics provide.
“Studies have repeatedly shown the value of student participation in school sports, including better educational outcomes, an increased sense of engagement and belonging, and development of critical life skills. Our government’s own Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2024 that transgender students faced the “highest prevalence of experiencing violence, poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and unstable housing, and the lowest prevalence of school connectedness compared with cisgender students” and called on schools to promote inclusive activities and supportive and safe environments.
“These cases are not decided in a vacuum and come at a time of rising discrimination and harassment for all LGBTQ+ students. The American Medical Association finds that one in four high school students in our country now identifies as LGBTQ+ or self-describes in a way that is not straight. According to their 2025 National School Climate Survey, Glisten reports that 71% percent of transgender and gender-expansive students participating in the survey reported feeling unsafe at school at some point due to their LGBTQ+ identity. And 68% of participating students reported experiencing harassment or assault based on their gender identity and/or gender expression.
“The same survey showed that reporting six or more supportive staff in a school building was related to a lower likelihood of absenteeism, less harassment and assault, and higher GPAs. For many learners, these trusted and supportive adults are often coaches, athletic directors, and athletic support staff.
“And despite the enormous pressure of this national attention, the fact remains that according to the President of the NCAA, fewer than 10 transgender athletes participated in NCAA athletics in 2024, out of over 550,000 NCAA student athletes total. This extreme national attention compared to the size of this student population should be a red flag for anyone asking whether these cases are based on real concerns for gender segregated athletics or based in fearmongering against an already vulnerable population.
“All4Ed stands with the many learners across our nation who are impacted by these decisions and in our continued fight for welcoming, just, excellent, and equitable schools. All of our students deserve every opportunity to thrive in learning, work, and life.”
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