Trump Signs New Executive Orders Targeting ‘Birth Tourism’
President Trump was so vested in one of his first executive orders he issued at the very beginning of his second term that, when it landed before the U.S. Supreme Court, he became the first sitting president to attend the oral arguments.
The order banned birthright citizenship, but the nation’s highest court struck it down, as had several lower courts, claiming it violated the Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
Rather than let the issue die, however, Trump is now taking a new course of action to at least curtail as much birthright citizenship as he possibly can without Congress or amending the Constitution.
On Thursday, Trump signed executive orders banning “birth tourism” – a phenomenon that has sprung up and expanded in recent years.
The Trump administration has argued that the court’s ruling preserves the president’s authority to limit birthright citizenship in certain circumstances under what it describes as long-recognized legal exceptions.
Advertisement
Under the administration’s executive orders, the proposed restrictions would apply only to future births involving four specified categories, via Axios:
Children born of foreign diplomatic staff working on behalf of another government while in the U.S. The 14th Amendment doesn’t confer automatic citizenship to ambassadors’ families, and this order would expand that category to other noncitizen employees.
Children of people who are classified as alien enemies, including those who belong to federally declared terrorist groups. The 14th Amendment doesn’t apply to invading armies, and this designation would expand that category.
Those born in U.S. territories — but only if Congress changes the law to end automatic citizenship there. A bill seeking to do that was introduced last month but isn’t expected to pass. This would apply most notably to those in Puerto Rico.
Children born of mothers who expressly and deceptively enter the U.S. for the sole purpose of having a child here, namely at a birth-tourism center. The order seeks to limit the use of surrogate mothers for this purpose as well.
The administration argues that the proposed birth tourism exception is justified in cases involving alleged fraud or misrepresentation by parents seeking entry into the United States, such as individuals who obtain tourist or temporary work visas under false pretenses.
Officials contend that because U.S. law permits the revocation of citizenship obtained through fraud in certain circumstances, similar principles should apply in cases involving commercial birth tourism.
Under the new executive order, the administration says the exception would apply to mothers who knowingly participate in commercial birth tourism through fraudulent means.
A separate executive order directs the secretaries of State and Homeland Security to develop regulations and guidance aimed at preventing birth tourism and disrupting the industry both within the United States and internationally.
U.S. law already bans getting a tourist visa “for the primary purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States.”
Immigration officials also can deny a pregnant foreign national from entering the U.S. if they determine she’s entering the country for the purpose of giving birth, Axios reported.
The House Oversight Committee is already investigating birth tourism centers
In May, the panel requested a host of documents from a company called “Have My Baby in Miami.”
“The benefits of U.S. citizenship are a unique privilege,” the committee wrote.
“However, as foreign expectant mothers traveling for this purpose come predominantly from China and Russia, there are concerns that the birth tourism industry is giving rise to potential national security and election integrity threats posed by adversarial nations that challenge U.S. interests,” the committee added.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee released its own report on birthright citizenship in 2022.
Estimates of children born in the U.S. via birth tourism are from the low thousands to tens of thousands annually, Axios said.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
