Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have introduced the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025, a bill that seeks to end automatic U.S. citizenship for children born to non-citizens, including those in the country illegally and individuals on temporary visas.
The bill proposes that birthright citizenship be granted only to children born to at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, or a member of the U.S. armed forces. If enacted, the policy would apply to children born after the bill’s implementation date.
Supporters of the legislation argue that the current practice of birthright citizenship serves as a “pull factor” for illegal immigration and is inconsistent with the original intent of the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. Senator Britt emphasized that the bill aligns with former President Donald Trump’s position on the issue, stating, “The promise of American citizenship should not incentivize illegal migration, but that’s exactly what has happened for far too long.”
Senator Graham echoed these concerns, pointing to what he describes as abuses of the system, including “birth tourism,” where foreign nationals travel to the U.S. to give birth so their children gain automatic citizenship. He cited a case in which two individuals in California were convicted for operating a birth tourism business that catered to wealthy Chinese clients.
Critics of similar proposals have argued that altering birthright citizenship could face legal challenges, given that the 14th Amendment states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” Some legal scholars contend that restricting birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment rather than legislation.
The introduction of the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 comes amid broader efforts by Republican lawmakers to address immigration and border security. Senator Britt has also introduced the WALL Act, which aims to allocate $25 billion for border wall construction, and the Laken Riley Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.
The bill will now move to the Senate for further consideration, where it is expected to spark debate over its legal and policy implications.
