Trump signs new orders to limit birthright citizenship after Supreme Court rebuff
President Trump issued two executive orders targeting birth tourism and expanding categories of children ineligible for citizenship, following a Supreme Court ruling that blocked his earlier attempt to end birthright citizenship.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Thursday aimed at restricting citizenship for certain children born in the United States. The measures follow a Supreme Court decision that invalidated his prior order intended to end birthright citizenship.
One order seeks to deny citizenship to children of individuals who engage in commercial "birth tourism," while the other broadens the list of people deemed ineligible, including children of foreign citizens who lobby for foreign governments, children of parents involved in terrorist groups, and children of foreign government employees. The orders do not affect children with at least one U.S. citizen parent.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said the actions address a long-standing concern about people allegedly traveling to the United States primarily to secure citizenship for their children.
The American Civil Liberties Union criticized the orders, stating that the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship and that any executive action attempting to alter it is likely to be struck down.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled 6-3 that Trump's earlier executive order conflicted with the 14th Amendment, which defines citizenship for those born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction.