The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is considering measures to strengthen visa issuance requirements to prevent birth tourism. The newspaper cited sources saying Trump’s transition team is drafting various executive orders aiming to reduce the automatic granting of citizenship to anyone born in the United States, regardless of their parents’ legal residency status.
The executive orders are expected to focus on changing the documentation requirements of federal agencies that issue passports and other proof of citizenship concerning the birthright citizenship system.
It is reported that the Trump team anticipates immediate legal challenges once the executive orders are implemented, and is therefore considering how far the restrictions should be imposed.
The Trump transition team is also expected to introduce measures to deter pregnant women from traveling to the United States to secure citizenship for their children. These measures may include tightening the eligibility criteria for tourist visas.
Previously, in an interview with NBC, President-elect Trump confirmed that his plan to abolish birthright citizenship is still in place.