Trump’s GOP Doubles Down On Birthright Tourism

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is urging Congress to take action on birthright citizenship, arguing that what he calls “birthright tourism” has weakened the original purpose of the 14th Amendment and diminished the value of American citizenship. His comments come after President Donald Trump renewed his push for lawmakers to address the issue following a recent Supreme Court decision.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Johnson praised Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for raising concerns about the long-term impact of current interpretations of the Citizenship Clause.

“Justice Thomas explained that the original purpose of the 14th Amendment was to strengthen and honor American citizenship,” Johnson said. “Instead, we’ve seen that principle weakened by birthright tourism. It’s become a serious concern for the rule of law and national security. Congress needs to address it.”

The debate over birthright citizenship has become one of the most closely watched immigration issues in Washington, with Republicans increasingly calling for reforms while legal experts remain divided over what changes are constitutionally possible.

Johnson Says Congress Should Move Quickly

Johnson said lawmakers are prepared to act if Congress has the legal authority to change existing citizenship laws through legislation.

“If there’s a legislative solution that can fix this, we’ll advance it immediately,” Johnson said during the interview.

However, he acknowledged that if changing birthright citizenship ultimately requires amending the Constitution, the process would be significantly more difficult.

“Constitutional amendments are intentionally challenging and rarely completed,” he said.

Johnson’s remarks echoed concerns raised by Justice Thomas, who argued that the original intent of the Citizenship Clause was to elevate the importance of American citizenship rather than expand it beyond its historical meaning.

Trump Urges Congress to End Birthright Citizenship

Following the Supreme Court’s recent decision, President Trump called on Congress to begin work immediately on legislation addressing birthright citizenship.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump argued that lawmakers should take the lead rather than pursuing what he described as a lengthy constitutional amendment process.

Trump said Congress should act immediately to end what he called costly and unfair birthright citizenship, arguing that a lengthy constitutional amendment process is not needed and pledging his full support for the effort.

Trump has also pointed to comments made by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who suggested Congress may still have authority to revisit portions of federal citizenship law through legislation.

Although Kavanaugh did not join the majority on the broader constitutional question, his opinion has fueled renewed discussion among supporters of stricter immigration policies about whether Congress could revise existing statutes governing citizenship without immediately seeking a constitutional amendment.

Why Birthright Citizenship Is Back in the Spotlight

The issue returned to the national spotlight after the Supreme Court declined to resolve the broader constitutional debate surrounding Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship.

The Trump administration has maintained that automatic U.S. citizenship should be limited to children born to at least one American citizen or a parent who is lawfully residing in the country. Critics of that position argue the 14th Amendment has traditionally been interpreted as granting citizenship to nearly anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

Because the Court did not directly settle that constitutional question, lawmakers and legal scholars continue to debate whether Congress has the authority to change federal citizenship laws or whether only a constitutional amendment can accomplish that goal.

The issue remains central to broader Republican efforts to strengthen border security, tighten immigration enforcement, and redefine how U.S. citizenship is granted.

Republicans Split on the Best Path Forward

While many Republicans support changing birthright citizenship, there is disagreement over how that should happen.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), who has a legal background, believes the Constitution itself must be amended.

Schmitt argued that Congress should follow the amendment process outlined in the Constitution, requiring approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate before three-fourths of the states vote to ratify the proposal.

“Ordinary legislation cannot repair the damage,” Schmitt said last week. “A constitutional amendment is now required.”

He also announced plans to introduce a constitutional amendment aimed at restoring what he described as the original understanding of American citizenship.

What Is Birthright Tourism?

Birthright tourism generally refers to foreign nationals traveling to the United States to give birth so their child automatically receives U.S. citizenship under current interpretations of the 14th Amendment.

Supporters of reform argue the practice creates incentives for abuse of America’s immigration system and places additional burdens on taxpayers and public services. They also contend it weakens the integrity of U.S. citizenship and creates potential national security concerns.

Critics, however, argue that the Constitution has long protected birthright citizenship and warn that changing the policy could face significant legal and constitutional challenges.

What Happens Next?

Birthright citizenship is expected to remain one of the most closely watched issues in Congress as lawmakers debate possible immigration reforms.

Supporters of change believe Congress should move quickly to strengthen citizenship laws, reduce incentives for illegal immigration, and restore what they view as the original intent of the 14th Amendment. Others argue that any meaningful change will require a constitutional amendment rather than ordinary legislation.

With President Trump continuing to press Congress for action and Republican lawmakers weighing competing legal strategies, the debate over birthright citizenship is likely to remain at the center of the nation’s immigration discussion in the months ahead.