U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Lindsey Graham Introduce Bill to End Abuse of Birthright Citizenship

January 31, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), along with Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), introduced a bill that would restrict one of the biggest magnets for illegal immigration into the United States. The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 stops the practice of granting citizenship to both the children of illegal aliens and the children of individuals in the U.S. on temporary visas, also known as birthright citizenship.

"The promise of American citizenship should not incentivize illegal migration, but that's exactly what has happened for far too long," said Senator Britt. "It's time to fix this. Senator Lindsey Graham's and my Birthright Citizenship Act would codify President Trump's commonsense stance and end the abuse of birthright citizenship that I do not believe is consistent with the original meaning of the 14thAmendment's Citizenship Clause. This will protect our nation's sovereignty, disincentivize illegal migration, and ensure America's citizenship practices are stronger and better aligned with peer countries around the globe."

The exploitation of birthright citizenship is a major pull factor for illegal immigration and a weakness for our national security. The United States is one of only 33 countries in the world with no restrictions on birthright citizenship.

The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 would specify who can receive citizenship by virtue of their birth in the United States, including children born to at least one parent who is either: a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or an alien performing active service in the armed forces. This bill only applies to children born after the date of enactment.

"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. When you look at the magnets that draw people to America, birthright citizenship is one of the largest. I also appreciate President Trump's executive order to address birthright citizenship. It is time for the United States to align itself with the rest of the world and restrict this practice once and for all."

The Biden-Harris Administration's catch-and-release policies let migrants come into the U.S. illegally and stay for years, while enjoying many of the benefits of living in America. The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that in 2023, there were 225,000 to 250,000 births to illegal aliens, amounting to close to seven percent of total births in the U.S.

In September 2024, two individuals from California were found guilty in a "birth tourism" scheme. Predominantly Chinese clients paid the operators of a "maternity hotel" tens of thousands of dollars to come to the U.S. to give birth. And a 2022 Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee report found a birthing company catering to the wives of Russian oligarchs, celebrities, athletes, and public figures.

Senator Britt continues to lead efforts to address illegal migration and strengthen border security, as Republicans deliver on their promise to Make America Safe Again. Just weeks into the 119th Congress, Senator Britt's legislation, the Laken Riley Act, was signed into law. Additionally, she introduced the WALL Act to appropriate $25 billion to finish building a wall on our southern border without raising taxes on U.S. citizens or increasing the national debt.