U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, and Katie Britt have introduced a bill aimed at restricting birthright citizenship in the United States. The proposed legislation, known as the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025, seeks to halt the practice of granting citizenship to children born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants and those on temporary visas. This move follows Senator Graham’s initial introduction of the legislation in September 2024.
The concept of birthright citizenship has been identified as a significant factor attracting illegal immigration, according to its critics. Currently, the U.S. is among 33 countries that offer unrestricted birthright citizenship. Senator Graham commented on this issue stating, “It is long overdue for the United States to change its policy on birthright citizenship because it is being abused in so many ways.” He cited examples such as “birth tourism,” where individuals travel to the U.S. solely to give birth and secure American citizenship for their child.
Senator Britt emphasized that American citizenship should not serve as an incentive for illegal migration, asserting that their bill aims to address this problem by codifying former President Trump’s stance on birthright citizenship. She stated that this would help protect national sovereignty and align U.S. practices with other countries.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s immigration policies have faced criticism from proponents of this bill who argue that these policies allow migrants to remain in the country illegally while enjoying various benefits. According to estimates by the Center for Immigration Studies, births to illegal immigrants constituted nearly seven percent of all births in the U.S. during 2023.
The Birthright Citizenship Act specifies criteria for receiving citizenship at birth, limiting it to children with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, or an alien serving actively in the armed forces.
This bill would apply only to children born after its enactment.
