Trump signs executive orders targeting birth tourism, expands birthright citizenship restrictions

US President Donald Trump has signed two new executive orders aimed at tightening birthright citizenship rules and curbing what his administration describes as birth tourism reviving one of the most contentious immigration issues despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that reaffirmed constitutional protections for citizenship by birthThe executive actions signed at the White House on Thursday seek to deny entry to individuals travelling to the United States primarily to give birth and broaden the categories of children whom the administration argues should not automatically qualify for US citizenshipThe move comes just weeks after the US Supreme Court rejected Trumps earlier attempt to end birthright citizenship holding that the longstanding constitutional interpretation remains in forceNew order targets birth tourismOne of the executive orders focuses on commercial birth tourism a practice in which foreign nationals allegedly travel to the US with the primary purpose of giving birth so their children acquire American citizenshipThe administration said it intends to deny visas or entry to individuals found to be participating in such arrangementsThe second order widens the list of people the administration believes should not be eligible for birthright citizenshipAccording to the order the proposed restrictions would apply to children born to individuals involved in commercial birth tourism foreign government employees lobbying on behalf of their countries members of terrorist organisations and certain other categories that the administration says fall outside the intended scope of the ConstitutionThe orders do not immediately change existing constitutional protections but signal the administrations intention to pursue a narrower interpretation of birthright citizenshipTrump criticises Supreme Court rulingSpeaking to reporters after signing the orders Trump criticised the Supreme Courts June 30 decision that struck down his earlier executive order on birthright citizenshipCalling the ruling very unfortunate the President said the administration was making adjustments to address the issueHe argued that the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment was originally intended to protect the children of formerly enslaved people after the Civil War rather than individuals entering the country temporarily to have childrenTrump was joined during the signing by senior administration officials including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and White House Staff Secretary Will ScharfLegal experts question constitutionalityStephen Miller defended the administrations position claiming some foreign nationals misuse tourist visas to secure American citizenship for their children and later obtain benefits associated with citizenshipHowever immigration law experts quickly challenged the legality of the new executive ordersNew Yorkbased immigration attorney Cyrus Mehta argued that the measures are inconsistent with the Fourteenth Amendment particularly the provisions targeting individuals involved in commercial birth tourismHe also questioned the lack of a clear legal definition for commercial transaction calling the language vague and constitutionally unsoundThe American Civil Liberties Union ACLU also criticised the move stating that the Supreme Court had already settled the constitutional question surrounding birthright citizenship and warning that any attempt to restrict it through executive action would likely face legal challengesAccording to the Migration Policy Institute estimates suggest that between 22000 and 26000 children are born annually in the US through birth tourism arrangements although official government data recorded around 9600 births to mothers with foreign addresses in 2024The latest executive orders are expected to face immediate scrutiny in the courts setting the stage for another legal battle over one of the most debated aspects of US immigration policyWith inputs from PTI