US President Donald Trump has signed two new executive orders aimed at restricting birthright citizenship, reviving his administration’s efforts weeks after the Supreme Court struck down a similar policy.
The orders, signed on Thursday, expand the categories of non-citizens whose children would not automatically qualify for US citizenship at birth and introduce new measures to curb what the administration describes as “birth tourism.”
Under the first executive order, birthright citizenship would be restricted for children born in the United States to certain legal foreign residents, including diplomats and employees of international organisations.
The order could also affect individuals born in US territories if Congress approves proposed legislation ending automatic citizenship in those jurisdictions, where the right is currently established under federal law.
The second executive order targets birth tourism, defined by the White House as the practice of foreign nationals entering the United States on temporary visas to give birth so their children obtain American citizenship.
It also authorises the Secretary of State to take enforcement measures against those involved, including imposing permanent entry bans on foreigners found to have engaged in or facilitated the practice.
“This should have happened years ago, but we’re taking care of it now,” Trump said after signing the orders.
The latest action comes after the US Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling on June 30, held that the Constitution guarantees citizenship to children born in the country, including those whose parents are undocumented immigrants or are residing temporarily in the United States.
Trump criticised the ruling, describing it as “a very unfortunate decision,” and again took aim at the justices who voted against his earlier order.
The new executive orders are expected to face fresh legal challenges as opponents argue they conflict with constitutional protections on birthright citizenship.
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