Blackburn’s Ban Birth Tourism Act Targets Citizenship Loophole in Trump’s Immigration Push

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., is taking aim at the thriving birth tourism industry with her new Ban Birth Tourism Act, introduced Tuesday in the U.S. Senate. The legislation seeks to close a controversial loophole in America’s immigration system that allows foreign nationals to secure automatic U.S. citizenship for their children by giving birth on American soil.

The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to block tourist visas for those whose primary intent is to give birth in the U.S., a practice that critics argue exploits the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship clause. This loophole has fueled a multimillion-dollar industry, with an estimated 33,000 babies born annually to women on temporary visas, many from countries like China and Russia.

Blackburn’s legislation doesn’t just slam the door shut—it includes a carve-out for legitimate medical travelers seeking treatment, ensuring the focus remains on stopping those gaming the system. The senator minced no words, stating, "Foreign nationals have been exploiting our immigration laws, buying American citizenship for their kids. This bill stops that nonsense cold."

The move aligns with President Trump’s renewed push to overhaul immigration policy in his second term, including his long-standing pledge to end birthright citizenship for children of non-citizens. Back in 2020, the Trump administration cracked down on visa approvals for suspected birth tourists, a policy Blackburn’s bill would codify into law.

Birth tourism isn’t just a cottage industry—it’s big business. Companies charge tens of thousands for packages that include visa coaching, luxury accommodations, and hospital stays, often targeting affluent clients from abroad. A 2019 federal bust in Southern California exposed sprawling networks that coached Chinese nationals to lie to immigration officials, highlighting the scale of the problem.

Once these children turn 21, they can sponsor their parents for green cards, creating a backdoor into the U.S. immigration system. Blackburn’s bill aims to slam that door shut, ensuring citizenship isn’t a commodity for sale.