Republicans Introduce Bills to Combat Birth Tourism After Court Ruling

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Marsha Blackburn are calling for new congressional legislation to restrict birthright citizenship following a Supreme Court of the United States ruling. The Court struck down an executive order issued by Donald Trump that had banned the children of illegal aliens and temporary visa holders from obtaining U.S. citizenship via birth tourism.

In response to the ruling, Senator Blackburn introduced the Ban Birth Tourism Act to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. This legislative push follows a commitment from the United States Department of Justice to increase enforcement against the practice. Simultaneously, Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee introduced legislation targeting automatic citizenship for babies born in the U.S.

Johnson argued that the current immigration system is being exploited, while Blackburn stated that citizenship should not be purchasable. The proposed legislation seeks to close the legal gaps identified by the Supreme Court's decision, though such measures face significant constitutional hurdles regarding the 14th Amendment. If passed, these laws would fundamentally alter the interpretation of birthright citizenship and potentially deter non-citizens from traveling to the U.S. specifically to secure citizenship for their children.