Trump Signs Orders to Limit Birthright Citizenship

On Thursday, October 5, 2023, U.S. President Donald Trump signed two executive orders in response to a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated his earlier executive order regarding birthright citizenship.

Trump described the Supreme Court's decision as "very, very unfortunate" and stated that adjustments were necessary. One of the new orders specifically targets commercial "birth tourism," as explained by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

The other order broadens the definitions of individuals who would be ineligible for birthright citizenship, including children of foreign citizens who lobby for foreign governments. The White House has not yet released the text of these orders.

Trump has expressed long-standing frustration with birthright citizenship, arguing that the 14th Amendment was originally intended to address the aftermath of slavery. The Supreme Court had ruled 6-3 that Trump's first executive order, issued on his first day in office in 2025, was unlawful.

When asked if the new orders would withstand constitutional scrutiny, Trump expressed confidence that they would.