Politics

Trump Administration Seeks Rule To End 'Birth Tourism'

The administration reportedly wants to crack down on women traveling to the U.S. to give birth in order to gain U.S. citizenship for the child.

Trump Administration Seeks Rule To End 'Birth Tourism'
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The Trump administration has plans to change visa guidelines in an effort to prevent so-called "birth tourism." The administration reportedly wants to crack down on women traveling to the U.S. to give birth in order to gain U.S. citizenship for the child.

In theory, State Department officials would be able to deny a visitor visa if they suspect someone is trying to establish citizenship with the birth of a child. However, it's unclear how this rule would be enforced. 

The change puts the spotlight on the 14th Amendment, which grants U.S. citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. The Trump administration has previously criticized the amendment and the access it allows foreigners.  

The Associated Press reports large numbers of "birth tourists" travel to the United States from Russia, China and Nigeria. 

The Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for stricter immigration laws, estimates that close to 33,000 babies are born each year in the U.S. for the purpose of establishing citizenship.

Contains footage from CNN.