Birth Trends Among Immigrant Mothers in the U.S.
In 2023, almost 10% of births in the United States were to mothers who were in the country illegally, a recent study indicates.
The Pew Research Center reported that out of 3.6 million births, around 320,000 were classified as “anchor babies,” and these children may not qualify for birthright citizenship if a certain executive order by Trump is upheld by the Supreme Court.
Brandi Perez Carbaugh from the Heritage Foundation commented on this situation, noting that, “Right now, the way we interpret birthright citizenship is flawed. Automatically, these kids gain citizenship, which opens doors to various benefits like food assistance, welfare, education for English language learning, and even potential college funding.”
Out of the 320,000 anchor babies, about 245,000 were born to parents without legal immigration status. Interestingly, another 15,000 were born to mothers with temporary legal status but fathers who were not citizens or lawful permanent residents. The rest—roughly 60,000—were born to illegal alien mothers and fathers who had legal status themselves.
Pew’s findings show that in 2023, the number of anchor baby births is the highest since 2010, when about 325,000 births to illegal immigrant parents were recorded. This marks the third consecutive year of rising numbers.
Those who advocate for stricter immigration policies express concern that undocumented immigrants are taking advantage of lenient laws while legal residents bear the financial burden. “Many are still using our system despite the long-standing beliefs that children born here automatically gain citizenship,” Carbaugh added.
Moreover, she pointed out that some emergency Medicaid rules permit undocumented individuals in certain states to access free healthcare services for pregnancy and childbirth—which, they argue, ultimately shifts costs to taxpayers. “It’s troubling, as legal citizens now have to support both themselves and the families of illegal immigrants,” she mentioned.
The Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a significant case, Trump v. Barbara, which challenges the president’s executive order on birthright citizenship, a right that’s been part of the Fourteenth Amendment since 1868. This legal backdrop adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about immigration and citizenship in the U.S.
