Coming to America to give birth? The State Department just issued a stark warning that will make ‘birth tourists’ think twice before booking those flights.
At a Glance
- The U.S. State Department is cracking down on “birth tourism,” warning foreign nationals they’ll be denied tourist visas if their primary purpose is giving birth on American soil
- Approximately 33,000 births occur annually from women on tourist visas, with many more from illegal aliens
- President Trump signed an executive order to restrict birthright citizenship, arguing children of non-citizens aren’t “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S.
- The Supreme Court will hear arguments on birthright citizenship in May, with potential to overturn 160 years of constitutional interpretation
Uncle Sam Says “No Thanks” to Birth Tourism
Well, folks, it seems the State Department has finally decided to address one of the most blatant loopholes in our immigration system. They’ve issued a warning to foreign nationals thinking about hopping on a plane to America just to drop a baby and secure that coveted U.S. passport. It’s about time! For decades, we’ve watched as pregnant women from around the world exploit our generous birthright citizenship laws while American taxpayers foot the bill for their medical care and more.
The State Department’s message is crystal clear: if your primary purpose for visiting America is to give birth here, your tourist visa application will be denied. Not only that, but those caught abusing the system may find themselves ineligible for future travel to the United States. This isn’t just bureaucratic posturing – it’s a direct response to what has become a full-blown industry catering to wealthy foreigners looking to secure American citizenship for their children without any intention of becoming Americans themselves.
A Global Outlier in Citizenship Rights
Let’s be honest about something – America’s unconditional birthright citizenship is wildly out of step with most of the developed world. While we automatically hand out citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents’ status, most countries in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa follow jus sanguinis, where nationality is inherited from parents. Even Ireland, once a bastion of birthright citizenship, abolished unrestricted jus soli in 2004 after recognizing the problems it created.
“For many, birthright citizenship, based on being born in the territory, made for their state-building goals.” – John Skrentny.
Sure, those “state-building goals” might have made sense in the 19th century when the 14th Amendment was adopted, but we’re now dealing with jet travel, organized birth tourism operations, and a massive illegal immigration crisis. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, approximately 33,000 births happen annually from women who come here on tourist visas specifically to give birth, with thousands more from illegal aliens or those on temporary visas.
Trump’s Bold Move to End the Madness
President Trump’s executive order to restrict birthright citizenship represents the most significant attempt to address this issue in modern American history. His administration’s argument is straightforward and logical: children of non-citizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States as required by the 14th Amendment, and therefore should not automatically receive citizenship. This isn’t some fringe interpretation – it’s a reasonable reading of the Constitution’s actual text.
“For example, some involved slaves and former slaves, some did not. History is complicated” – John Skrentny.
Of course, the left-wing judges have already tried to block this common-sense policy with injunctions. No surprise there. But what is surprising is that according to an Emerson College poll, more Americans support Trump’s position than oppose it. The American people understand what’s happening – our generosity is being exploited, and it’s putting immense pressure on our healthcare systems, schools, and social services. With the Supreme Court scheduled to hear arguments on this issue in May, we might finally see some sanity restored to our citizenship policies.
The Real Cost of Birth Tourism
The birth tourism industry isn’t just a quirky immigration oddity – it’s a serious national security concern with real economic implications. Citizens from China, Russia, Nigeria, Turkey, Brazil, and Mexico have made birth tourism a lucrative business, with packages that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. These operations often involve fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering. More importantly, they create a class of citizens with no real connection to America beyond a piece of paper – individuals who may later access welfare benefits they never contributed to.
The 14th Amendment was designed to protect former slaves and their descendants, not to create a global citizenship giveaway. When the amendment says “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” it meant something real – full political allegiance to the United States. Tourists, illegal aliens, and temporary visitors maintain their primary allegiance to their home countries. Granting automatic citizenship to their children makes a mockery of what American citizenship should mean – a shared commitment to our constitutional republic and its values.
