Blocked on Birthright Citizenship, Trump Signs Executive Order to Curb "Birth Tourism"

U.S. President Donald Trump took steps on the 6th (local time) to block so-called "birth tourism," aimed at allowing children to acquire U.S. citizenship.

President Trump held a signing ceremony at the White House on this day and signed an executive order centered on these measures.

Regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in late June that put the brakes on his executive order banning birthright citizenship, President Trump described it as "a very regrettable decision" and "very unfair," explaining, "That's why we are adjusting [the system]."

Emphasizing the scale of those who benefit from birth tourism, he stated it involves "hundreds of thousands of people."

According to the executive order released by the White House, the purpose of this measure is to prevent the practice of individuals engaging in birth tourism from abusing non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourism or study.

Accordingly, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security are directed to bar entry into the United States for individuals intending to give birth on U.S. soil.

Measures including entry bans on foreigners who previously participated in birth tourism were also included.

Government-level actions can be taken not only against the individuals engaging in birth tourism but also against organizations and persons facilitating it.

A clause prohibiting the issuance of documents recognizing U.S. citizenship for babies born through birth tourism by foreign parents was also included.

This applies to babies born in the U.S. to foreign diplomatic mission staff, including foreign ambassadors, as well as infants born to individuals classified as members of designated terrorist groups and hostile nations.

This executive order is part of the Trump administration's immigration policy to prevent children born to foreign parents residing temporarily or illegally in the U.S. from acquiring citizenship.

It is interpreted as an intention to maintain policy continuity while the executive order banning birthright citizenship faces setbacks in the Supreme Court, and to showcase achievements to rally his base ahead of the November midterm elections.

This measure is also seen as targeting China.

President Trump has repeatedly voiced complaints that wealthy Chinese people use birth tourism to secure U.S. citizenship for their children.

Axios projected that lawsuits to invalidate the order are likely to be filed as President Trump once again places restrictions on citizenship acquisition through birth tourism, despite the Supreme Court ruling.

However, the White House maintains that this executive order does not conflict with the intent of the Supreme Court ruling.

President Trump signed an executive order banning birthright citizenship around the beginning of last year upon returning to office, but the Supreme Court put the brakes on it on June 30, ruling that under the 14th Amendment, children born in the U.S. can be automatically granted citizenship.

U.S. media reported that birth tourism has grown into a kind of industry in the United States, with companies assisting in birth tourism generating massive profits.

In Florida, a company named "Have Your Baby in Miami" advertised that it supported more than 2,000 cases of birth tourism and is under investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.