Here’s what Americans need to know.
President Donald Trump’s executive order to end automatic birthright citizenship could carry a steep price tag for illegal immigrants — with legal costs starting at $3,000 per child, according to a cost breakdown by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP).
How Much Could It Cost to Prove a Child’s U.S. Citizenship?
The NFAP, a respected non-partisan think tank, analyzed current U.S. immigration fee structures to estimate the financial burden families may face if birthright citizenship is revoked for children born to non-citizens. Their findings are eye-opening.
- $1,385 would go toward filing the 14-page Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- $1,500 or more in attorney’s fees could be required to navigate the legal process — or even more depending on complexity.
And that’s just the beginning. Biometric testing fees, potential court appearances, and even DNA testing could drive costs higher.
Could the Price Tag Be Even Higher?
According to immigration attorney Margaret Stock, who helped NFAP conduct the study, the $3,000 estimate is just a starting point. “In many cases, families spend tens of thousands of dollars trying to resolve citizenship issues,” she noted.
In particularly complex situations, she says families have paid upwards of $50,000 to resolve disputes over a child’s legal status.
“There’s no working government infrastructure right now to process this kind of sweeping change,” Stock explained.
What Does Trump’s Executive Order Actually Do?
President Trump’s directive aims to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to parents who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, even if the birth occurs on U.S. soil.
The order disputes the long-held interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which many liberal judges have cited to grant citizenship to anyone born in the country — regardless of parental status.
Trump argues the Constitution has never guaranteed birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, a claim that aligns with originalist interpretations of U.S. law.
Who’s Trying to Block the Order?
The order has been temporarily halted by left-leaning federal judges in states like Maryland and Massachusetts, following lawsuits from Democrat attorneys general and open-border advocacy groups.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) blasted the order as “reckless” and “unconstitutional.” But the Trump administration has pushed back, urging the Supreme Court to lift the nationwide ban and let the order take effect.
Trump’s legal team argues that court rulings should apply only to the states involved — not the entire nation.
What Other Costs Might Be Involved?
The cost of establishing a child’s U.S. citizenship may not stop at legal paperwork. Expecting parents might also face:
- $85 biometric fees per person
- In-person appearances at the Social Security Administration
- Possible DNA tests to verify paternity
- Additional documentation fees, depending on parental immigration history
NFAP Executive Director Stuart Anderson said the Trump administration has yet to announce how they plan to verify eligibility, but warned that a self-reported system will not be allowed.
“There’s no way the government will just take someone’s word for it,” Anderson told NewsNation.
Why This Matters for American Families
President Trump’s move to end the anchor baby loophole is a decisive step in restoring common-sense immigration policy. For too long, illegal immigrants have used birthright citizenship to gain legal footholds in the U.S., often at taxpayer expense.
By challenging a flawed and outdated interpretation of the 14th Amendment, Trump is protecting the integrity of American citizenship — and putting law-abiding citizens first.
