US Congress Introduces Bill to End Birthright Citizenship in Territories

Representative Morgan Griffith (R‑Virginia) introduced the "End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act," a bill that would restrict automatic U.S. citizenship for children born in the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. Starting 1 January 2027, citizenship would be granted only to those whose parents are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Griffith says the legislation aims to curb “birth tourism” and fills a gap left by the Supreme Court’s Trump v. Barbara decision, which he says permits congressional action on territory citizenship.

Critics argue the proposal undermines the rights of territorial residents. Constitutional lawyer Carlos Ramos called the effort “racist” and “despreciable,” noting that citizenship for Puerto Ricans is statutory, not constitutional, and that the bill exposes the “colonial” nature of U.S. territorial rule.