    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 2025)]
    [Senate]
    [Page S1028]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                                 Birth Tourism

      Mr. President, in one of his first acts back in office, President
    Trump defended our country's cherished principle of equal citizenship
    by ending birth tourism. For years, foreign tourists have abused our
    Nation's birthright citizenship by visiting America with the sole
    purpose of having their children here.
      These tourists have no intention of staying here or of even raising
    their children in America. Instead, they return to their home country
    to rear their children, who now have the benefit of American
    citizenship but no ties or loyalty to our Nation. This abuse of our
    citizenship is wrong. Yet Democrat-aligned groups are trying to stop
    President Trump's order in the courts.
      When you look at the numbers, you realize how much is at stake with
    this Executive order. According to one estimate, birth tourism results
    in 33,000 births to women on tourist visas each year. Think about
    that--33,000. That is tens of thousands of people each year who claim
    American citizenship and all its benefits, while having nothing at
    stake in the future of our country. To no one's surprise, birth tourism
    has spawned a multimillion-dollar industry, and it is rife with fraud
    and criminal activities.
      In China, traffickers charge clients tens of thousands of dollars to
    coach them on lying to Customs and Border Protection, obtaining a visa,
    and reaching our country.
      In fact, the problem has gotten so bad that airlines in Asia are
    turning away pregnant passengers to America over birth tourism
    concerns.
      This cannot go on, which is why I fully support President Trump's
    efforts to bring this terrible practice to an end.
      I yield the floor.
      The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.