Rep. Claudia Tenney has introduced the Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act in the House of Representatives, aiming to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States 🇺🇸 to illegal aliens and certain other non-citizen groups. This move, announced on July 23, 2025, marks a major step in ongoing efforts by some Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration to change how the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause is applied.
The bill, led by Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and supported by Senator Tom Cotton in the Senate, seeks to clarify that only children born to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs) would automatically receive citizenship at birth. Supporters argue that the current system encourages illegal immigration and birth tourism, and that the new law would help protect the value of American citizenship. “We must restore the original intent of the 14th Amendment and ensure citizenship is reserved for those with a true, legal connection to our country,” Tenney stated during the bill’s introduction.
Background and Legislative Context
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says, “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” For over a century, this has meant that almost anyone born on U.S. soil becomes a citizen, no matter their parents’ immigration status. The new legislation, however, would change this by limiting automatic citizenship to children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
This push is not new. Earlier in January 2025, Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) introduced the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 (H.R.569), which also aims to limit citizenship to children born to U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents, or lawful immigrants serving in the military. That bill is still in committee and has not advanced.
On July 24, 2025, another related bill, H.R.4741, was introduced to further clarify which individuals born in the United States 🇺🇸 qualify for citizenship. These efforts show a coordinated attempt to change how birthright citizenship is granted.
President Trump signed Executive Order 14160
Rep. Brian Babin introduced the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025
Supreme Court stayed injunctions against Executive Order 14160
Rep. Claudia Tenney introduced the Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act
Another related bill, H.R.4741, was introduced
Executive Action and Legal Developments
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14160, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.” This order tries to restrict birthright citizenship by stating that children born in the United States 🇺🇸 to parents who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents—including those with temporary visas or who are in the country unlawfully—would not automatically receive citizenship.
The executive order faced several legal challenges and was blocked by federal judges. However, on June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court, in the case Trump v. Casa, stayed those injunctions. This means the executive order could now take effect across the country, although the legal debate is far from over.
Who Would Be Affected
If the Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act or the executive order becomes law, the following groups would be most affected:
- Children born in the United States 🇺🇸 to illegal aliens
- Children of foreign spies
- Children of individuals on diplomatic visas
- Children of temporary visa holders (such as students, tourists, workers, DACA recipients, and those with Temporary Protected Status)
These children would no longer receive automatic citizenship at birth. Instead, they might be considered citizens of their parents’ home countries, or in some cases, could become stateless if no country recognizes them as citizens.
Practical Impacts and Concerns
Losing birthright citizenship would have serious effects. Children denied citizenship would not be able to get Social Security cards, U.S. passports, or access federal programs like CHIP, SNAP, and Medicaid. They would also be barred from voting, serving on juries, and holding certain jobs. According to the Migration Policy Institute, ending birthright citizenship for children of unauthorized immigrants could increase the unauthorized population by 4.7 million by 2050.
Another concern is fairness. The proposed law would not apply to children born before it takes effect. This could create a situation where two children born just days apart have very different legal rights, raising questions about equal treatment.
Supporters’ and Opponents’ Views
Supporters, including Rep. Claudia Tenney, Senator Cotton, and the Trump administration, say that birthright citizenship encourages illegal immigration and birth tourism. They argue that the 14th Amendment was never meant to give citizenship to children of illegal aliens and that these changes would help protect the value of American citizenship.
Opponents, including many immigration advocates and legal experts, warn that ending birthright citizenship could create millions of stateless or undocumented children. They say this would increase social inequality and go against the spirit of the Constitution. They also point out that birthright citizenship is a long-standing American principle and that changing it could have serious legal and humanitarian consequences.
The legal community is watching closely. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow the executive order to proceed signals that the issue is far from settled and will likely be argued in court for years to come.
What Happens Next?
The Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act and similar bills are still at the early stages in Congress. While the current political climate—with a Republican-controlled House and President Trump in office—may help these bills move forward, they still face hurdles in the Senate and possible vetoes.
If the executive order and new laws take effect, the government will need to create new rules for birth registration, citizenship checks, and access to federal benefits. This could mean more paperwork and new procedures for hospitals, schools, and government agencies.
What Should Affected Families Do?
Families who may be affected should stay informed about the status of these bills and the executive order. It’s important to keep records of parents’ immigration status and children’s birth certificates. Those with questions about their status can check official resources, such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, for updates and guidance.
Where to Find More Information
- For the full text of the Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act and related bills, visit Congress.gov.
- Updates on Executive Order 14160 can be found on the White House and Federal Register websites.
- Legal filings and decisions for Trump v. Casa are available on the Supreme Court’s official site.
- Advocacy groups like the National Immigration Forum and Migration Policy Institute offer detailed guides and analysis.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes could reshape the future of citizenship in the United States 🇺🇸 and have lasting effects on millions of families. Lawmakers, courts, and communities will continue to debate the best path forward, but for now, the future of birthright citizenship remains uncertain. Families, advocates, and officials alike should watch closely as these important decisions unfold.
Learn Today
Birthright Citizenship → Automatic citizenship granted to individuals born on U.S. soil regardless of parents’ immigration status.
14th Amendment → U.S. Constitution provision guaranteeing citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the United States.
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) → Non-citizen legally authorized to live and work permanently in the United States.
Executive Order 14160 → A 2025 Trump order aiming to restrict birthright citizenship to children of citizens and LPRs.
Birth Tourism → Practice of traveling to a country to give birth and secure citizenship for the child.
This Article in a Nutshell
Rep. Claudia Tenney’s bill aims to end automatic U.S. birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens, reshaping immigration law. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling backs a Trump order restricting citizenship to certain parents, marking a major shift in birthright citizenship policies and igniting ongoing legal battles.
— By VisaVerge.com
