Trump limits birthright citizenship

Trump signs executive orders to curb birthright citizenship

US President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders to curb birthright citizenship and strengthen federal measures against "birth tourism," the White House said.

The first order expands the category of foreigners who are not automatically eligible for citizenship because they were born in the United States. This applies to diplomats, foreign government officials, and children of "enemy states." The document also applies to those born in US overseas territories.

The second order gives presidential powers to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security. They are required to put an end to the practice of "birth tourism." Officials must classify cases where foreign women come to the United States solely to give birth. This procedure also applies to surrogacy for the same purpose.

The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution provides for the granting of American citizenship to all persons born in the country and subject to its jurisdiction, equal protection under the law, and prohibition of deprivation of rights without a court order. Trump has repeatedly criticized this amendment.

This is Trump's second attempt to limit birthright citizenship. On June 30, the US Supreme Court rejected an executive order he signed on Inauguration Day that automatically stripped children born to non-US citizens of their citizenship.

Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal predict that Trump's new executive orders will likely be challenged in court. According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), an estimated 22,000 to 26,000 babies are born in the US each year through "birth tourism." According to government data provided by the institute, 9,600 children were born to mothers with foreign addresses in 2024.