EXCLUSIVE: US may require parents to prove citizenship to get passports for their children - Reuters

The United States State Department has proposed new requirements for children’s passport applications, which would mandate that parents provide proof of their own citizenship or immigration status. This draft guidance serves as a mechanism to implement an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on August 6, which aims to limit birthright citizenship and address the practice of birth tourism.

Under the proposed changes, the passport adjudication process would be adjusted to verify the legal status of the parents. This initiative is part of a broader administration effort to restrict automatic citizenship at birth, which the President has identified as a primary objective in his immigration policy.

The administration has stated that these measures are intended to protect the value and meaning of American citizenship. According to a spokesperson for the State Department, the goal is to ensure that the passport application process aligns with the administration's standards regarding citizenship eligibility.

This proposal follows a previous attempt by the administration to limit birthright citizenship, which would have restricted automatic citizenship to children with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. That earlier effort was challenged in court and ultimately blocked by the Supreme Court.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the previous executive order was unlawful, finding that it violated the Constitution. The current draft guidance represents the first detailed insight into how the administration intends to enforce its policy goals following that judicial ruling.

The White House has directed inquiries regarding the specifics of the new proposal to the State Department. As of now, the proposal remains in the draft stage as the administration continues its efforts to broaden historical exceptions to birthright citizenship.