The Trump administration is considering new entry restrictions that could prevent some pregnant foreign women from entering the United States, aiming to curb what officials describe as "birth tourism." The proposal remains under review and no ban has been implemented yet. This move follows the Supreme Court's rejection of Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship.
Why the Proposal Is Being Considered
The Supreme Court ruled against Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship through executive action. Birthright citizenship, protected under the Fourteenth Amendment, grants automatic American citizenship to most children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' nationality or immigration status. The administration argues that this policy encourages illegal immigration and allows foreign nationals to travel to the U.S. primarily to give birth, ensuring their children obtain citizenship.
White House Weighs Action on Birth Tourism
Senior White House adviser Stephen Miller stated that the administration is taking "a hard look" at whether pregnant foreign women should be allowed into the country if they are believed to be travelling for birth tourism. "You have to now think very carefully about who you let into your country," Miller said, noting that someone arriving heavily pregnant could give birth in the U.S. and have "a lifetime American citizen." He also claimed that such children could have "a direct line into American cash and welfare for the rest of that child's life."
Supreme Court Blocks Trump's Order
The court ruled against Trump's Day One executive order, which sought to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to parents who were either in the country illegally or staying temporarily. According to the ruling, birthright citizenship remains protected under the Fourteenth Amendment. Following the decision, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Trump remains "totally committed to protecting the value of natural-born American citizenship." She stated that the president has directed Congress to take immediate action on the issue, while the Department of Justice will prioritize investigations into birth tourism schemes.
Officials Raise National Security Concerns
Markwayne Mullin also confirmed that discussions took place at the White House after the court's decision. He said some visitors enter the U.S. on tourist visas during the final weeks of pregnancy, give birth, and later return to their home countries. Mullin claimed this could become "a national security issue," suggesting that children born in the U.S. but raised in rival countries could later return and gain access to American institutions. The article presents this as the administration's position.
Nigerian-Born Football Link
The report cited Folarin Balogun as an example of birthright citizenship in practice. Balogun was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents who were living in London but travelled to the United States while his mother was seven months pregnant. She was unable to fly back immediately because of her pregnancy. Although he returned to the United Kingdom with his parents as an infant, Balogun kept his U.S. citizenship, making him eligible to represent the United States in international football. The report also mentioned Yunus Musah as another U.S. national team player who obtained American citizenship through birthright citizenship.
No Decision Yet
No decision has been made on restricting pregnant foreign travellers, but the proposal remains one of the options the Trump administration is considering after the Supreme Court blocked its effort to end birthright citizenship through executive action.
