Mike Johnson pushes legislation to curb US birthright citizenship

The U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born on American soil, regardless of parents’ immigration status. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was "very disappointed" with the ruling and urged Congress to act, either through new legislation or a constitutional amendment, to limit birthright citizenship for children of illegal or temporary visitors.

President Donald Trump, who previously issued an executive order to restrict the practice, has called on lawmakers to move quickly, claiming a constitutional amendment is unnecessary. Johnson and other Republican leaders framed the issue as a threat to the rule of law and national security, citing concerns about "birth tourism" and alleged Chinese attempts to secure U.S. citizenship for large numbers of people. Data from the Migration Policy Institute estimate roughly 26,000 of the 3.5 million annual U.S. births are linked to birth‑tourism.

While some GOP members see the proposed bills as political messaging with little chance of passage, others argue the House may have enough Republican support to advance legislation, though Senate approval remains uncertain. The debate is unfolding ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, deepening divisions within the party over immigration policy.