WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Lindsey Graham is pushing for a change that would impact future children born in the United States. The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024 would no longer grant immediate citizenship to children who are born to unauthorized migrants or people in the country on temporary visas.
“It is long overdue for the United States to change its policy on birthright citizenship because it is being abused in so many ways,” said Senator Graham. “One example is birth tourism, where wealthy individuals from China and other nations come to the United States simply to have a child who will be an American citizen."
The senator says the U.S. is one of 33 countries in the world with no restrictions on birthright citizenship. Graham was one of the supporters of Former President Donald Trump's 2018 executive order to eliminate birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants.
If ratified, the new bill would allow birthright citizenship to children under one of three conditions. A citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a migrant performing active service in the armed forces.