The Trump administration on Thursday formally issued a rule allowing customs officials to deny entry to travelers whom they suspect are headed to the U.S. for the sole purpose of giving birth on American soil.
A rule issued by the State Department marks the administration’s first formal effort to cut down on the practice known as “birth tourism,” which President Trump has heavily criticized and suggested should be a reason for ending birthright citizenship.
“This rule establishes that travel to the United States with the primary purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States is an impermissible basis for the issuance of a B nonimmigrant visa,” the statute reads.
“Consequently, a consular officer shall deny a B nonimmigrant visa to an alien who(m) he or she has reason to believe intends to travel for this primary purpose,” it continues.
It’s unclear how customs officials are to determine whether a traveler is headed to the U.S. for the purpose of giving birth on U.S. soil, though U.S. officials hinted to Axios earlier this week that Thursday’s rule could be just the first in a line of actions against birth tourism.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” a senior official told the news outlet. “Just the legal recognition that this is improper and wrong and not allowed is a significant step forward.”
Newsom targets major affordability squeeze in ‘striking’ convergence with Trump
Kamala Harris dives into midterm fight only to get roasted for never having ‘an original thought in her life’
Biden-era FBI took ‘minimal corrective action’ and defended staff after targeting Catholics
White House report card: Lake America won’t save Trump from drowning
ICE officer charged in Minneapolis shooting released in Texas after judge declines to intervene
Glenn Beck interview prompts Trump to allow farmers and ranchers to process their own food
U.S. Military Uses Lasers to Shoot Down Mexican Cartel Drones at Southern Border
The Psychology Behind Republicans Who Support Amnesty for Illegals
Soros-backed DA accused of going easy on illegal immigrants gets squeezed by House GOP
House Dem Debbie Dingell places Trump’s Lake Ontario name change in the crosshairs
Free climber stranded on Georgia rock face calls 911, prompting dramatic rescue by firefighter
Maine and Georgia could test whether ticket-splitting is making a comeback
Dems derided Trump’s midterm gamble — until he ended up winning big
Mail-voting crackdown moves ahead as Trump court win opens door to federal action
Brutal Cheap Shot: Video Captures Amazon Driver Sucker Punching Elderly Man Over Parking Dispute
“This change is intended to address the national security and law enforcement risks associated with birth tourism, including criminal activity associated with the birth tourism industry,” a State Department official added to Axios.
Lawmakers have previously questioned whether the administration has the right to curb birthright citizenship through executive action, with some – including allies of the president – believing that doing so would require a change to the Constitution.
“I am not a lawyer, but it seems to me it would take a constitutional amendment to change that as opposed to an executive order,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said of the president’s criticism of birthright citizenship in 2018.
Story cited here.
