[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.