U.S. House Republicans Unveil Controversial Bill Aiming to Limit Birthright Citizenship

WASHINGTON — In response to President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at altering birthright citizenship, House Republicans have introduced legislation seeking to modify federal immigration law. The proposed changes come despite the constitutional guarantee of citizenship enshrined in the 14th Amendment.

The executive order, issued on Monday, has already encountered significant legal opposition from Democratic state attorneys general and the ACLU. Oral arguments for a multistate legal challenge began in federal court in Washington state on Thursday.

Republican Texas Rep. Brian Babin, who sponsored the House bill known as H.R. 569, expressed support for these legal challenges. “We appreciate and wanted the challenges to this,” he stated, highlighting an intention to escalate the issue to the Supreme Court. “This could take up to three years before it winds up on the high court and let’s see how they rule.”

Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs voiced optimism about the bill’s prospects in court, despite the historical precedent set by a Supreme Court ruling in 1898 that upheld birthright citizenship. “I believe, ultimately, that when this gets to the U.S. Supreme Court, it’s going to rule that this legislation is constitutional,” he predicted.

Republicans attending the press event included various representatives from states such as Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, all of whom echoed concerns regarding birthright citizenship.

Trump’s order aims to revoke citizenship rights for children born after February 19, if their parents lack proper authorization. The new legislation proposed by Babin intends to restrict citizenship solely to children born in the U.S. with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, or an immigrant serving in the military.

Approximately 5.5 million U.S. children are born to at least one undocumented parent, which raises complex implications if the bill passes. It is expected to face immediate legal hurdles, particularly since it does not clarify the status of children born to parents with temporary visas.

“This is about ensuring the citizenship, a cornerstone of our national identity, is protected and respected,” Babin concluded, emphasizing the bill’s intended alignment with the foundational principles of the nation.

Last updated 10:44 a.m., Jan. 23, 2025