WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville), introduced the Birthright Citizenship Act, a bill that seeks to “restore the 14th Amendment to its original purpose and end the misuse of birthright citizenship,” Babin said.
Babin introduced the bill last Tuesday, a day after President Donald Trump, after being inaugurated, signed off on an executive order which seeks to end the process of automatic citizenship to children born to a parent of undocumented status, or in the United States on temporary status. That executive order was to go into effect Feb. 19. Babin’s bill, if passed, would codify Trump’s order into law.
The 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was adopted in 1868, grants birthright citizenship to anyone born under the legal jurisdiction of the U.S. federal government. The amendment was added to grant citizenship to former slaves.
Babin’s bill proposes to ensure automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. with at least one parent who meets one of the following criteria: they must be a citizen or national of the U.S.; must be a lawful permanent resident, whose residence is in the U.S., or must be a lawful immigrant performing active service within the U.S. Armed Forces.
“The introduction of this bill aligns with President Donald Trump’s commitment to make birthright citizenship reform a top priority,” Babin said.
Babin said “automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants is a based on a flawed interpretation of the 14th amendment.”
Trump’s executive order has received legal challenges from several states since he signed it. Attorney generals from 22 states have already filed lawsuits to challenge it, and the ACLU argued that it is unconstitutional.
A federal judge, John Coughenour, placed a 14-day block on the order, which he called a “blatantly unconstitutional order.”
If Babin’s bill passes into law, the children of tourists, temporary residents and undocumented individuals born within the U.S. would not receive citizenship.
“America’s citizenship laws should reflect fairness and respect for the rule of law,” said Babin. “Citizenship is one of our nation’s most precious privileges. By introducing this legislation, we are taking an important step to restore integrity to our immigration system and prioritize the interests of American citizens.”