Washington, D.C., August 6, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed two executive orders aimed at further restricting birthright citizenship and cracking down on so-called “birth tourism,” renewing one of the administration’s most controversial immigration initiatives despite recent legal setbacks.
The first executive order seeks to narrow the categories of children who would automatically receive U.S. citizenship at birth. According to the White House, the measure focuses on cases involving alleged fraud, including individuals who enter the United States on temporary visas primarily to obtain citizenship for their children.
The second order directs the Departments of State and Homeland Security to strengthen efforts against “birth tourism” by tightening visa screening and developing new enforcement measures against businesses that facilitate travel to the United States for the purpose of giving birth.
The executive actions come after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a broader attempt by the administration to limit birthright citizenship. The new orders are more narrowly tailored, but constitutional scholars and civil rights organizations argue they are still likely to face immediate legal challenges under the Fourteenth Amendment, which has long been interpreted as guaranteeing citizenship to nearly everyone born on U.S. soil.
Supporters of the measures say they are intended to prevent abuse of the U.S. immigration system and discourage visa fraud. Critics, however, contend that the executive orders exceed presidential authority and conflict with established constitutional protections.
The latest actions are expected to trigger a new round of litigation, with federal courts likely to determine whether the administration’s revised approach can withstand constitutional scrutiny.
