Rep. Morgan Griffith Proposes Bill to Halt Birth Tourism in U.S. Territories
Rep. Morgan Griffith, a Republican from Virginia, is looking to introduce legislation aimed at stopping birth tourism in U.S. territories, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s recent controversial decision regarding birthright citizenship.
In an interview, Griffith noted that he’s spent time reflecting on the implications of U.S. territories and has drawn from longstanding Supreme Court opinions to formulate this bill. He mentioned some historical context: “We don’t actually have birthright citizenship in every state. There have been lawsuits related to this issue since 1901. In 2012, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made it clear that citizenship for territories isn’t governed by the Constitution, and instead, it falls under Congress’s authority,” he explained. He pointed out that while four out of five territories grant citizenship, American Samoa does not.
Griffith emphasized that regardless of one’s stance on the Supreme Court, the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship rules apply. He personally disagrees with those rules, but he believes that Congress can still restrict citizenship in certain territories. Importantly, the proposed bill would protect the citizenship of residents in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, along with their children.
“We’re not trying to take citizenship away from anyone except those who are exploiting American laws,” he stated. Specifically, he criticized birth tourism, particularly involving families from China, who he claims are using U.S. territories to secure birthright citizenship and then returning to their home country. “They have children here, get citizenship, and then go back to China, raising them as Chinese without any intention of integrating into American society,” he commented.
He added a personal touch to his argument: “Once those kids turn 18, they can vote here, which feels wrong. I remember the movie Manchurian Candidate, and it’s like there’s no need for such intrigue. If they were born in the Northern Mariana Islands or Guam, they could run for president in Beijing. It’s a loophole that needs to be closed, and my bill aims to do that, ensuring no rights are taken from genuine American citizens.”
This initiative is meant to address these loopholes while putting an end to birth tourism across U.S. territories. Griffith highlighted that, “Currently, the most significant issues stem from individuals from China.” He also stated that a child born to someone who is in the U.S. illegally or merely visiting wouldn’t receive citizenship in these territories.
Looking ahead, Griffith anticipates the introduction of this bill will take place after the midterm elections. He hopes that Chairman Jim Jordan will view this as a valuable standalone proposal or consider it in conjunction with other legislative initiatives. Griffith acknowledged the challenges of tightening laws around birthright citizenship, noting, “It could be difficult to limit entry for pregnant individuals from specific countries, for example.”
