Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Restrict Birthright Citizenship; Justice Department Directs Visa-Fraud Probes

The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in a ruling issued one day before Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche outlined new enforcement steps. The decision addressed the constitutional guarantee of citizenship for those born on U.S. soil.

Blanche told reporters that federal prosecutors and law enforcement will focus on preventing people from entering the country on tourist visas solely to give birth. He said the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies can adjust the visa and application process to limit opportunities for those who do not intend to visit but instead plan to have a child who would gain U.S. citizenship.

The administration described the practice as birth tourism. It said such births represent less than 1 percent of annual U.S. births and would receive renewed attention. Administration officials said the Supreme Court decision leaves room for executive actions outside the citizenship clause itself.