Trump signs two executive orders curbing birthright citizenship in the US
The orders target children of certain foreign nationals and the 'birth tourism' industry, and are expected to face court challenges.
WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump on Thursday signed two new executive orders aimed at widening the categories of babies who do not qualify for automatic US citizenship and banning the practice of birth tourism.
The latest move is expected to face legal challenges in court.
Efforts to end birthright citizenship have long been a central focus of the hardline immigration agenda of Trump's second term in office.
Trump also criticised an earlier Supreme Court decision that blocked his attempt to bar foreign babies from automatically acquiring US citizenship at birth, describing it as a "very unfortunate" ruling.
Two orders, two targets
The first executive order seeks to broaden the interpretation of the exceptions under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said the order targets children of members of foreign terrorist organisations and of groups acting on behalf of foreign governments.
It also covers children of foreign government officials and of individuals involved in fraudulent activity to obtain citizenship.
The second executive order specifically targets the "birth tourism" industry — the practice of foreigners travelling to the US solely to give birth so that the baby automatically acquires US citizenship.
Trump claimed the practice has been turned into a business and exploits the country's legal system.
Data points to smaller numbers
However, data from the Migration Policy Institute indicates that participation in birth tourism is far lower than Trump has claimed.
An estimated 22,000 to 26,000 babies a year are born through the practice — less than one per cent of all births in the US. – AGENCIES
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