In a decisive move, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Thursday in the Oval Office, aiming to curb birthright citizenship for children born to non‑citizen parents.
The first order expands the definition of non‑citizens whose children are ineligible for the automatic citizenship guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, adding categories such as members of foreign terrorist groups, foreign government employees, and individuals who have pursued citizenship through fraudulent means.
The second order targets “birth tourism,” a practice where pregnant mothers travel to the United States specifically to give birth, thereby giving their children citizenship and access to U.S. services.
Trump, citing the recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld birthright citizenship, said the administration will take steps “to protect our nation from foreign actors hoping to exploit the generosity of our country.”
Experts note that while the president has authority to restrict individuals entering the country for birth tourism, the rights of a child born on U.S. soil remain protected under constitutional law.
The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 22,000 to 26,000 babies are born each year via birth tourism, though official government data recorded 9,600 births to mothers with foreign addresses in 2024.
These measures mark another chapter in Trump’s long‑standing campaign to reshape U.S. immigration policy.
