Sen. Vitter Introduces Bill to 'Prevent Birthright Tourism'

(CNSNews.com) - Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) is trying once again to advance legislation that would confer American citizenship on babies born in the United States only if those children are born to U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens.

Vitter said the amendment, attached to the Victims of Trafficing Act, would "prevent the practice of birthright tourism," where foreigners come to the U.S. for the express purpose of securing American citizenship for their babies.

“It’s astounding that we’re allowing foreign citizens to exploit the loopholes of our immigration system in this manner, and Congress has the obligation to stop it,” Vitter said. “This practice comes down to a fundamental misunderstanding of the 14th Amendment, and we can stop the massive problem with some simple clarification.”

The 14th Amendment states that citizenship extends to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”

Vitter's legislation would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent children born in the U.S. of foreign national parents from gaining automatic U.S. citizenship unless one of the parents is: (1) a U.S. citizen or national, (2) a lawful permanent resident, or (3) an alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

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