U.S. Republicans seek limits on birthright citizenship

Republican lawmakers are advocating for restrictions on birthright citizenship for children born to individuals residing in the United States on temporary visas. During a hearing by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Republican Chairman Chip Roy called on Congress to define the phrase ‘subject to the jurisdiction thereof’ found in the 14th Amendment to prevent people from traveling to the U.S. specifically to secure citizenship for their children.

Roy argued that the 1898 ‘Wong Kim Ark’ Supreme Court decision, which established birthright citizenship, applied to legal and permanent residents rather than temporary visitors or undocumented immigrants.

Rosemary Jenkins, co-founder of the Immigration Accountability Project, testified that Supreme Court rulings do not prevent Congress from acting on immigration and nationality matters. She urged legislative amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act to create exceptions for children born to undocumented immigrants and temporary residents.