The Problem of Birth Tourism

In my testimony, I will use the definition of birth tourism that Justice Clarence Thomas adopted in his dissenting opinion in Trump v. Barbara et al. He defined birth tourism as “the practice of traveling here with temporary authorization solely to give birth and obtain citizenship for one's children, then returning to raise them in another country.” Concern over birth tourism is really a component of the larger set of issues raised by the practice of granting automatic citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of the parent's circumstances, time in the country, or relationship with the United States. My testimony will not focus on the recent Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship. Instead, I will discuss the likely number of birth tourists, specific concerns raised by this practice, and what might be done to reduce it.