Key facts
- President Trump signed executive orders to restrict birthright citizenship for children of "birth tourism" and foreign diplomatic staff.
- A separate order aims to curb "birth tourism" by increasing visa restrictions.
- Trump also signed an order to protect the U.S. polysilicon industry with trade and tariff actions.
- The administration is considering an executive order on vaccines and autism.
- The Supreme Court previously rejected Trump's efforts to limit birthright citizenship.
President Donald Trump signed two executive actions on Thursday aimed at restricting birthright citizenship, including for children born to individuals engaged in "birth tourism" or connected to foreign embassies, and those considered "alien enemies." The administration is also seeking to curb "birth tourism" by increasing visa restrictions for pregnant visitors.
Trump stated his belief that these new measures are constitutional, reflecting a continued effort to limit who becomes an American citizen, even after a previous attempt was rejected by the Supreme Court. He expressed disappointment with the court's prior decision, calling it "unfair."
Separately, President Trump signed an executive order to protect the U.S. polysilicon industry through trade and tariff actions. The administration is also considering an executive order prompted by Trump's interest in the potential link between vaccines and autism.
Immigration advocates and legal experts argue that the Constitution clearly defines citizenship and that restricting birthright citizenship would create a second-class citizenry. The ACLU predicted that the new executive order would face the same legal challenges and rejection as the previous one, which was blocked by lower courts and ultimately struck down by the Supreme Court.