President Trump signed two new executive orders on Thursday intended to restrict birthright citizenship. This move follows a Supreme Court ruling that previously declared his first attempt at this policy change to be unlawful. The administration maintains that these adjustments are necessary to address what they describe as a broken system.
The first order targets commercial birth tourism. White House officials argue that individuals often enter the country under the pretense of tourism to secure citizenship for their children born on U.S. soil. The administration claims this practice grants unauthorized access to social benefits and future voting rights.
The second order focuses on narrowing the definition of who qualifies for citizenship at birth. It specifically excludes children of foreign citizens who act on behalf of foreign governments. During the signing, the President characterized the previous interpretation of the 14th Amendment as a target for correction, suggesting that birthright citizenship was originally intended only for the children of former slaves following the Civil War.
While the Supreme Court previously voted 6-3 against the administration's initial executive order, the White House continues to defend its legal standing. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller emphasized that the administration sees these new actions as a solution to long-standing policy concerns. The President expressed confidence that these updated orders will meet constitutional requirements despite the ongoing debate over the 14th Amendment.