US: Donald Trump’s new move against birthright citizenship; two orders issued to curb ‘birth tourism’

August 7, 2026

US President Donald Trump signed two new executive orders on Thursday aimed at limiting birthright citizenship and curbing ‘birth tourism.’ This move comes just weeks after the US Supreme Court rejected a previous order issued by Trump on this issue.

What is the first order?
The first order targets individuals who travel to the US solely to give birth to a child there—a practice known as ‘birth tourism.’ The Trump administration states that these individuals use tourist visas, while their actual objective is to secure US citizenship for their child by having them born on American soil.

What does the second order entail?
The second order expands the categories of individuals deemed ineligible for birthright citizenship. It includes, among others, the children of individuals who work for foreign governments or lobby on their behalf.

Supreme Court had rejected the previous order
On June 30, the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s earlier executive order. The Court noted that, in accordance with a century-old constitutional arrangement, virtually everyone born in the US acquires American citizenship.

Trump calls Supreme Court ruling ‘unfortunate’
After signing the orders in the Oval Office, Trump described the Supreme Court’s ruling as unfortunate and stated that his administration is now making necessary adjustments. He remarked, “The Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship was very unfortunate. That is why we are making the necessary changes.”

What does the 14th Amendment say?
The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified on July 9, 1868, grants US citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. This provision was introduced in the aftermath of the Civil War to grant citizenship to formerly enslaved people. Trump stated that while the law was enacted to meet the needs of that era, some individuals are now exploiting it to engage in the business of ‘birth tourism.’ What is the White House’s argument?
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller stated that many people come to the U.S. as tourists. Still, their actual objective is to have their child born in the country so that the child automatically acquires citizenship. According to him, this grants such families future access to government programs, other benefits, and civil rights.