The U.S. Department of Justice has instructed federal prosecutors to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of birth tourism cases, foreign media reported on June 30 (local time).

According to reports from CNN and other outlets, the Justice Department issued a letter to all federal prosecutors on that day, directing them to handle birth tourism cases with the highest priority.

Birth tourism refers to the practice of entering the United States under false pretenses to give birth, specifically to exploit the "birthright citizenship" system, which grants automatic U.S. citizenship to children born in the country.

This move by the Justice Department came just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an executive order by President Donald Trump to restrict birthright citizenship was unconstitutional.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Justice Department stated, "Birth tourism schemes exploit immigration laws and frequently violate criminal laws," adding, "Those who use loopholes in the law to ensure their children automatically acquire citizenship will face justice."

The Justice Department also instructed federal prosecutors to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for investigations into birth tourism.

The Department of Homeland Security had previously ordered its investigative agents in April to focus on birth tourism investigations.

Reuters analyzed that this directive from the U.S. Justice Department signals that the Trump administration intends to continue its hardline anti-immigration policies despite the setback from the Supreme Court.

In fact, immediately following the Supreme Court's decision, President Trump wrote on social media that it was a "great misfortune for our country" and expressed his intention to continue efforts to restrict birthright citizenship through congressional legislation and other means.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)