Trump signed two orders targeting birth tourism and citizenship. Visa refusal, entry denial, and enforcement against commercial services. Legal challenges.
Tags:US President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at restricting birth tourism and tightening the federal government's approach to birthright citizenship.
One order directs federal agencies to review whether automatic US citizenship should apply in certain cases where neither parent is an American citizen. The administration is focusing on limited categories, including children of some foreign officials and cases involving commercial arrangements allegedly designed primarily to obtain US citizenship for a newborn.
The second order targets birth tourism, which generally refers to foreign nationals traveling to the United States mainly to give birth so their child can obtain American citizenship.
Under the new policy, the State Department and Department of Homeland Security may strengthen screening of visa applicants and travelers suspected of participating in birth tourism.
Possible consequences could include visa refusal, cancellation of an existing visa, denial of entry into the United States and further immigration penalties in cases involving fraud or deliberate misrepresentation.
Pregnancy itself does not automatically prevent a foreign national from traveling to the United States. Officials are expected to focus on the main purpose of the trip and may examine medical arrangements, financial resources, travel history and accommodation plans.
The administration also plans to increase enforcement against companies and individuals that organize commercial birth tourism services, including businesses operating outside the United States.
Birth tourism involving travelers from China, Russia and other countries has previously attracted attention from US authorities and members of Congress.
The citizenship provisions are expected to face legal challenges because the Fourteenth Amendment generally grants citizenship to people born in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction.
Supporters of the new measures say they are intended to prevent abuse of the immigration system and protect the value of US citizenship. Critics argue that a president cannot significantly restrict birthright citizenship through executive action.
Federal agencies are now expected to issue additional guidance explaining how the new orders will be implemented.
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