Which Countries Offer Birthright Citizenship in 2025?

Key Takeaways

• The US debates limiting birthright citizenship via the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 and Executive Order 14156.
• Canada maintains unconditional birthright citizenship except for children of foreign diplomats, promoting diversity and inclusion.
• If changed, US children born to undocumented or temporary status parents post-February 2025 may lose automatic citizenship.

As of July 2025, the debate over birthright citizenship has reached a critical point in the United States 🇺🇸, with new laws and executive actions challenging a principle that has shaped American identity for over 150 years. Canada 🇨🇦, meanwhile, continues to uphold unconditional Birthright citizenship, even as global trends shift away from this approach. The future of citizenship for children born on U.S. soil now hangs in the balance, with millions of families, lawmakers, and legal experts closely watching the outcome.

Birthright citizenship, also called jus soli, means that anyone born in a country’s territory becomes a citizen, no matter their parents’ nationality. This rule has long been a part of the laws in the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, and a handful of other countries. But in recent years, especially in the United States 🇺🇸, this right has come under heavy scrutiny and faces possible change.

What Is Birthright Citizenship and Where Does It Still Exist?

Birthright citizenship is the automatic granting of citizenship to anyone born within a country’s borders. This principle is simple: if you are born in the country, you are a citizen. However, most countries have moved away from this rule, choosing instead to grant citizenship based on the nationality or legal status of the parents—a system called jus sanguinis.

As of mid-2025, only a small group of countries still offer unconditional birthright citizenship. These include:

• United States 🇺🇸: Grants citizenship to almost all children born on U.S. soil, except those born to foreign diplomats or certain foreign military personnel. However, this is now under serious challenge.
• Canada 🇨🇦: Continues to grant citizenship to anyone born in the country, with the only exception being children of foreign diplomats.
• Mexico: Maintains unconditional birthright citizenship.
• Central America and the Caribbean: Countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, and Nicaragua also grant birthright citizenship, with some exceptions for children of diplomats or parents from countries at war.

In Africa and other regions, birthright citizenship is less common and often comes with conditions. For example, in Egypt, a child must be born to Egyptian parents or be found abandoned in the country. In Morocco, at least one parent must have been born in Morocco and be legally residing there.

United States 🇺🇸: A Turning Point for Birthright Citizenship

The United States 🇺🇸 has followed the principle of birthright citizenship since the 14th Amendment was added to the Constitution in 1868. This amendment says that anyone born “within the jurisdiction” of the United States 🇺🇸 is a citizen at birth. For generations, this rule has been clear and has helped shape the country’s diverse population.

But in 2024 and 2025, lawmakers and the executive branch have taken steps to change this long-standing rule:

• Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025: Senators Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, and Katie Britt introduced this bill to limit birthright citizenship. If passed, only children born to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (green card holders) would get automatic citizenship. Children born to undocumented immigrants or those on temporary visas would not.
• As of April 2025, the bill has 2 Senate cosponsors and 51 House cosponsors. While this shows some support, it has not yet become law.
• Executive Order 14156 (January 20, 2025): Former President Trump signed this order to stop granting citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants and those with temporary lawful status. The order tells federal agencies to stop issuing citizenship documents to these children born after February 19, 2025, and to not accept state-issued documents for them.
• This executive order has caused confusion and fear among immigrant families, as it seems to go against the 14th Amendment. Legal challenges are already underway, and the Supreme Court is expected to decide on the issue soon.

What Could Change for Families in the United States 🇺🇸?

If the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 or the executive order is fully enforced, the rules for citizenship by birth in the United States 🇺🇸 would change dramatically. Here’s what could happen:

• Children born to undocumented immigrants or parents on temporary visas after the new rules take effect would not get automatic citizenship.
• Children born before any change would keep their citizenship.
• Families could face a confusing and uncertain future, with some children growing up in the United States 🇺🇸 but not being recognized as citizens.
• A new group of children could be left without any citizenship at all, especially if their parents’ home countries do not grant citizenship by descent.

This would create a tiered system, where some children born in the United States 🇺🇸 are citizens and others are not, based only on their parents’ legal status. Many legal experts and immigrant advocates warn that this could lead to a permanent underclass and legal confusion.

Canada 🇨🇦: Steadfast in Its Commitment to Birthright Citizenship

While the United States 🇺🇸 debates major changes, Canada 🇨🇦 continues to grant birthright citizenship to anyone born on its soil, except for children of foreign diplomats. Canadian law has not changed in recent years, and there are no major political movements to end this practice.

Canadian officials and many citizens see birthright citizenship as a core part of the country’s identity. It supports diversity and inclusion, and it helps ensure that all children born in Canada 🇨🇦 have the same rights and opportunities.

Why Are Some Countries Moving Away from Birthright Citizenship?

Many countries have ended or restricted birthright citizenship in recent decades. The main reasons include:

• Controlling immigration: Some governments believe that birthright citizenship encourages people to enter the country illegally or to give birth there just to secure citizenship for their children—a practice sometimes called “birth tourism.”
• Aligning with global trends: Most developed countries now grant citizenship based on parentage, not place of birth.
• Political pressure: In some countries, political parties have pushed to change citizenship laws as part of broader immigration reforms.

For example, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand all ended unconditional birthright citizenship in the late 20th century. Now, most European and Asian countries use jus sanguinis—citizenship by descent.

Arguments For and Against Restricting Birthright Citizenship

The debate over birthright citizenship is intense and emotional, especially in the United States 🇺🇸. Here are some of the main arguments on both sides:

Supporters of Restriction Say:
– It would reduce incentives for illegal immigration and birth tourism.
– It would bring the United States 🇺🇸 in line with most other countries.
– It would ensure that citizenship is only given to those with a real connection to the country.

Opponents Say:
– The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the United States 🇺🇸, regardless of their parents’ status.
– Restricting birthright citizenship would create a group of children who grow up in the country but are not citizens, leading to social and legal problems.
– Immigrant families make important contributions to society, and their children deserve equal rights.

Legal experts and advocacy groups widely believe that the executive order and proposed legislation are unconstitutional. They are preparing legal challenges, and the Supreme Court’s decision will be crucial.

What Does This Mean for Immigrant Communities?

For millions of families in the United States 🇺🇸, the uncertainty around birthright citizenship is causing stress and fear. Many parents worry about their children’s future, especially if they are undocumented or have only temporary legal status.

If the rules change, some children could become stateless—not recognized as citizens by any country. This would make it hard for them to go to school, get health care, or find work as adults. It could also separate families, as parents and children might have different legal statuses.

Community organizations and legal aid groups are working to help families understand their rights and prepare for possible changes. They encourage parents to keep records of their children’s births and to seek legal advice if they have questions.

How Does the United States 🇺🇸 Compare to Other Countries?

The United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 are among the few developed countries that still offer broad birthright citizenship. Most other countries have moved to systems based on parentage.

Here’s a summary of where birthright citizenship still exists:

Historical Roots of Birthright Citizenship

The idea of birthright citizenship comes from English common law and was written into the U.S. Constitution after the Civil War. The 14th Amendment was meant to ensure that formerly enslaved people and their children would be recognized as citizens.

Over time, this rule helped make the United States 🇺🇸 a country of immigrants, where people from all over the world could become Americans simply by being born there. Canada 🇨🇦 adopted similar laws, supporting its image as a welcoming, diverse nation.

What Happens Next?

The future of birthright citizenship in the United States 🇺🇸 depends on what Congress and the courts decide in the coming months. The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 is still being debated, and the Supreme Court will likely rule on the executive order soon.

If the law changes, it will affect not only new families but also the country’s sense of identity and fairness. Many people believe that birthright citizenship is a key part of what makes the United States 🇺🇸 unique.

In Canada 🇨🇦, no major changes are expected. The country continues to support birthright citizenship as a way to promote equality and inclusion.

What Should Families Do Now?

• Stay informed: Follow updates from official sources like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the latest information on citizenship laws and procedures.
• Seek legal advice: If you have questions about your child’s citizenship status, talk to an immigration lawyer or a trusted legal aid group.
• Keep records: Make sure you have copies of your child’s birth certificate and any other important documents.
• Advocate: Join community organizations or advocacy groups that support immigrant rights and citizenship protections.

Conclusion and Practical Guidance

Birthright citizenship remains a vital issue for millions of families in the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, and around the world. While Canada 🇨🇦 continues to grant citizenship to all children born on its soil, the United States 🇺🇸 faces a period of uncertainty and possible change. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the outcome of current legal and political battles will shape the future for generations of children and families.

For now, families should stay informed, keep good records, and seek legal help if needed. The debate over birthright citizenship is far from over, and its outcome will have lasting effects on the meaning of citizenship, equality, and belonging in both the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦.

Learn Today

Birthright citizenship → Automatic citizenship granted to anyone born within a country’s territory regardless of parents’ nationality.
Jus soli → Latin term meaning ‘right of the soil,’ granting citizenship based on birthplace.
Jus sanguinis → Citizenship granted based on the nationality or legal status of one’s parents.
14th Amendment → US constitutional amendment granting citizenship to all born or naturalized in the United States.
Executive Order 14156 → A 2025 US order aiming to restrict birthright citizenship for children of undocumented or temporary visa holders.

This Article in a Nutshell

Birthright citizenship is under threat in the US while Canada upholds it robustly. Legal challenges may redefine citizenship, affecting millions of immigrant families and reshaping national identity amid political turmoil and global immigration trends.
— By VisaVerge.com