President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Thursday that end birth tourism and expand the definition of who does not qualify for birthright citizenship, marking one of his administration’s most significant immigration policy moves. The orders come on the heels of the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in the Trump v. Barbara case in June that ruled birthright citizenship is a right under the Constitution.
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White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called the order ending birth tourism one of the most important actions Trump has ever taken on immigration, describing it as ending one of the gravest and most egregious abuses of the American system. The practice has allowed foreign nationals to enter the United States under false pretenses, give birth to a child who automatically becomes a U.S. citizen, and then leave the country with that child having access to welfare benefits, voting rights, and all other privileges that belong solely to Americans.
From Breitbart:
The first Executive Order non-exhaustively identifies certain categories of children of aliens who are not entitled to birthright citizenship consistent with historical exceptions to birthright citizenship recognized by the Supreme Court in Barbara.
The second Executive Order delegates presidential authorities to the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security and directs them to halt the practice of birth tourism.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said the order ending birthright tourism is within the president’s power under Section 215A of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Miller explained that birth tourism has been discussed for years, even decades, but has continued unchecked as people come to the United States pretending to be tourists or visitors, claiming they want to visit Disneyland, monuments, or national parks, when their real purpose is to have a child and make that child an automatic citizen. As of the signing of the order, that practice is now banned, meaning no one in the world is any longer allowed to obtain a visa for this fraudulent purpose.
The order relating to birthright citizenship broadens definitions of children of aliens who are not eligible for birthright citizenship. That includes alien enemies of the United States, members of foreign terrorist organizations, and large categories of people who lobby and act on behalf of foreign governments. With this action, large numbers of people who wrongly would be getting birthright citizenship will no longer be eligible for those benefits.
Trump expressed frustration with the Supreme Court’s decision in the Barbara case, calling it very unfortunate and noting that it was a close ruling. He explained that the Fourteenth Amendment provision granting birthright citizenship was enacted right after the Civil War for the babies of slaves, not for the purpose it is being used for today. People have since built businesses around exploiting birthright citizenship, Trump said, and his administration is making adjustments because the current situation is very unfair.
The timing of these orders coincides with the Senate confirmation of Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, the agency’s first permanent leader in nearly a year. All but three Republicans voted for Dr. Schwartz despite her role in threatening to have service members prosecuted for refusing vaccine mandates during the first Trump administration, while only one Democrat voted for her. Two Republicans voted absent on the confirmation: Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and retiring Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, while Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is away on medical leave. Dr. Schwartz replaced Susan Monarez, who reportedly did not last long due to trust issues with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Trump also signed a proclamation establishing a minimum import price program on polysilicon and polysilicon derivatives imports to protect American producers of such products. The measure imposes a 15 percent tariff on derivative products to encourage these industries to be brought to the United States. Polysilicon is critical to making silicon wafers found in chips that are essential to artificial intelligence, including phones. White House staff secretary Will Scharf described the action as a series of trade and tariff measures under Section 232 intended to ensure that domestic polysilicon manufacturing is properly supported and protected from overseas dumping and offshore threats. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick noted that while the president’s policies have brought 50 percent of production into America, the foundational products and the supply chain must also be made domestically.
For Christians committed to praying for the integrity of citizenship and the rule of law, these executive orders represent a significant step toward restoring the original intent of constitutional protections while closing loopholes that have been exploited for decades. When the privileges of citizenship are extended to those who have no genuine connection to the United States or who actively work against American interests, the value of citizenship itself is diminished and the security of communities is compromised. Scripture calls us to honor governing authorities and to seek justice, and part of that justice includes maintaining clear boundaries about who belongs to the national community and what that membership entails. The practice of birth tourism has turned a provision meant to protect the children of freed slaves into a business model for fraud, undermining both the historical purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment and the integrity of American citizenship. As believers, we can pray for wisdom in implementing these policies, for fair and consistent enforcement, and for leaders who will protect the meaning and privileges of citizenship while showing compassion to those who seek to enter through lawful means. The decisions made about citizenship and immigration shape the future of our nation and the security of the communities in which we raise our families and serve our neighbors.
How are you praying for wisdom and integrity in immigration policy and the protection of citizenship? Share your prayers and scripture in the comments below.
(Excerpt from Breitbart. Photo Credit: Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
