This critical step will close a long-abused loophole that undermines our immigration system and rewards lawbreaking. It’s time to put American citizens first, and I’m committed to delivering on President Trump’s vision to stop illegal immigration once and for all.
Birthright citizenship, also known as jus soli (right of the soil), automatically grants US citizenship to anyone born on American soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. It’s exploited by illegal aliens who cross our borders to give birth — securing citizenship for their children, which then makes it harder for authorities to deport them.
This practice has become a magnet for illegal immigration, incentivizing illegal immigrants to break our laws and enter the United States to give birth. It strains our public resources — hospitals, schools, and welfare programs — and creates a reward for those who ignore our sovereignty. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 250,000 children are born to illegal immigrant parents in the US each year. These children, automatically granted citizenship, often serve as a foothold for their families to remain in the country — even when they’ve violated our laws.
This flaw in the system devalues the sacrifices of legal immigrants who follow the rules. It also poses a national security risk, as “birth tourism” schemes allow foreign nationals to exploit our generosity. President Trump has rightly called this a “great magnet for illegal immigration,” and he’s been leading the charge to end it. The continuation of this policy fuels the crisis at our southern border, where millions of illegal aliens have flooded our communities, overwhelming law enforcement and local governments.
The 14th Amendment states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” The key phrase is “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” When the amendment was drafted, its sponsors made clear it was not intended to grant citizenship to children of foreign nationals who owed allegiance to another country. Illegal aliens, by their very presence, are not fully subject to US jurisdiction — they remain citizens of foreign nations. They are often outside the legal framework of our civil institutions, including selective service registration, tax compliance, and lawful presence requirements.
The 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark is often cited to defend current birthright practices. Still, that case involved the child of legal foreign national residents — people lawfully present in the country with the consent of the US government. The court has never explicitly ruled that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to children of those who break our laws to enter the country. That question remains unresolved — and Congress has the authority and the responsibility to clarify the law. This legislation will also force the Supreme Court to finally resolve the long-unanswered question of whether the 14th Amendment guarantees automatic citizenship to children of those who entered our country illegally.
Conservative legal scholars argue that the original intent of the 14th Amendment excludes illegal aliens, as their children inherit the allegiance of their parents’ home countries — not the United States. While this will likely face a court challenge from the Left, it’s a fight worth having.
President Trump proposed an executive order to end automatic citizenship for children of illegal aliens. That was a step in the right direction. But to finish the work, Congress must act. The law should be clear and not left to activist judges or unelected bureaucrats.
When I’m elected to Congress, my first bill will codify President Trump’s vision by ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens. This legislation will ensure that only children born to at least one parent who is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident receive automatic citizenship. By doing so, we’ll deter illegal immigration, protect our national security, and honor the sacrifices of American citizens and legal immigrants.
President Trump has shown us what strong leadership looks like. He’s fought tirelessly to secure our borders, deport criminal aliens, and put America first. I’m running to be his teammate in Congress. Together, we’ll close the birthright loophole, restore respect for the law, and protect the future of our great nation.
