US President Donald Trump speaks at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on October 13, 2025. Hamas handed over the 20 surviving Israeli hostages on October 13 under a ceasefire agreement, as the US president and other world leaders geared up for a summit on Gaza. The releases are part of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US president, with Israel due in return to free nearly 2,000 detainees held in its jails in exchange. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / POOL / AFP)
United States President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship for children born to foreign nationals who travel to the US mainly to give birth.
The latest directive is part of the administration’s renewed immigration enforcement agenda and is expected to affect citizens of Nigeria and other countries who enter the United States on temporary visas for childbirth.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump defended the move, insisting that the current interpretation of birthright citizenship has been abused.
«“They’ve taken birthright citizenship and they’ve made a joke out of it,” Trump said.»
The order follows an earlier attempt by the president to end automatic US citizenship for children born to parents who are either in the country illegally or staying on temporary visas. That effort was blocked by lower courts, which ruled that it conflicted with the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.
The amendment provides that all persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction, are citizens of the country.
Trump also referenced the US Supreme Court’s decision in late June, which rejected his previous bid to restrict birthright citizenship.
«“We’re making adjustments because it’s very unfair,” he said.»
While the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to most people born on US soil, it does not apply to individuals who are not subject to US jurisdiction, including children born to foreign diplomats.
US immigration authorities already have the power to refuse visa applications if they determine that an applicant’s primary purpose for travelling to the United States is to give birth.
The new executive order forms part of Trump’s broader immigration strategy, which includes plans to expand deportations of undocumented migrants and end temporary deportation protections for nationals from more than a dozen countries.
