Pregnant women could face restrictions on entering the United States as President Donald Trump’s administration considers new immigration measures tied to the country’s birthright citizenship policy.
The proposal comes after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, the constitutional principle that grants automatic citizenship to children born on American soil.
The administration is reportedly exploring additional measures to address what it describes as “birth tourism” a practice in which foreign nationals travel to the United States during pregnancy so their children can acquire U.S. citizenship at birth.
Although immigration experts have noted that birth tourism accounts for a relatively small number of births, the Trump administration has argued that the policy encourages illegal immigration and places an unfair burden on public resources.
A senior adviser to President Trump, Stephen Miller, said the White House would take “a hard look” at limiting the entry of pregnant foreign nationals into the country.
Speaking on the issue, Miller said, “You have to now think very carefully about who you let into your country, even on a temporary basis because of the possibility for birth tourism.
“That people come here just to have babies on American soil, and that baby gets to be a citizen for life.
“If a person comes here nine months pregnant to go and look around at some things, in a couple of weeks that is the mother of a lifetime American citizen and a direct line into American cash and welfare for the rest of that child’s life.
“There are a lot of things we need to have a hard look at.”
Miller, who serves as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security, made the remarks after the Supreme Court blocked Trump’s Day One executive order seeking to deny citizenship to children born in the United States to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily.
The administration had argued that birthright citizenship “rewards illegal aliens who not only violate the immigration laws but also jump in front of those who follow the rules.”
However, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that ending automatic citizenship for children born in the United States would violate the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, making the executive order unconstitutional.
The ruling represents a major legal setback for Trump’s immigration agenda and preserves a constitutional principle that has been in place for more than a century.
The case was widely regarded as one of the most significant challenges to the 14th Amendment in modern U.S. history, as the Trump administration sought to use executive authority to redefine eligibility for American citizenship.
While no formal policy restricting pregnant women’s entry into the United States has been announced, Miller’s comments indicate the administration is considering further measures aimed at curbing birth tourism and tightening immigration controls.
