Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to prevent foreign women from giving birth in the United States to secure birthright citizenship. Just over a month ago, the Supreme Court struck down a decree suppressing birthright citizenship for children of irregular immigrants. Trump stated that the new measure will serve as an adjustment to that right.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump explained that organized criminal networks set up systems allowing tens of thousands of people to arrive and give birth solely for citizenship. He said the decree takes measures against these practices by denying visas to parents participating in the scheme and to the individuals organizing the networks.
Constitutional Rights and Visa Rules
The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed after the Civil War to protect the citizenship rights of former slaves, explicitly guarantees citizenship by birth on American soil except in very specific cases. A majority of the Supreme Court previously ratified that doctrine. Under existing law, a United States consular official can deny a visa to a non-resident suspected of traveling to give birth. Critics of the system argue that the problem stems from expectant mothers entering as tourists without applying for visas.
In a ruling issued on June 30, Supreme Court judges stated that children born in the United States to parents living in the country illegally or temporarily fall under United States jurisdiction and are citizens from birth.
Restrictions and Broader Immigration Campaign
Stephen Miller, a close adviser to Trump, said the executive order will deny birthright citizenship to children of members of foreign terrorist organizations. Miller added that the rule will also cover broad categories of individuals acting on behalf of foreign governments. He noted that the measure ensures a large number of people who would mistakenly receive citizenship will no longer qualify.
Trump's efforts to restrict birthright citizenship form part of a broader campaign to limit immigration. That wider effort includes the deportation of millions of undocumented migrants and the termination of temporary protected status for nationals from more than a dozen countries.
