Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed two new executive orders aimed at curbing so-called “birth tourism” — travel to the United States with the intention of giving birth so the child can obtain US citizenship.
Under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, most people born in the country have traditionally received citizenship automatically. The practice has been cited by critics as being exploited by some visitors who enter on tourist visas and deliver babies in the US.
Trump had earlier issued executive actions seeking to change this, but the US Supreme Court on June 30 struck down that order and reaffirmed the long-standing practice.
According to the latest directives, entry may be denied to those arriving through commercial arrangements specifically for childbirth. A second order expands the list of people whose children should not receive citizenship based on birth, including children of members of terrorist organisations and children of foreign government employees.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the Supreme Court’s ruling on birthright citizenship was “very disappointing” and argued that the 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868 after the Civil War, was intended for the children of former slaves but is now being used in a commercial manner.
