U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) recently joined other Republican lawmakers in pushing a bill ending unilateral birthright citizenship in the country, which has been used to grant citizenship to hundreds of thousands of children born to illegal aliens.
Opinions vary over President Donald Trump's executive action to end birthright citizenship, the sweeping name referring to the practice of granting U.S. citizenship to individuals, regardless of whether their parents are legal residents or not.
A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the order from taking effect after Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon brought suits claiming the executive order violated the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.
While the constitutionality of the case will have to be decided by the courts, Republicans in Congress are wasting no time in endeavoring to enshrine Trump's ban on birthright citizenship into law.
On Thursday, Strong joined other Republican members of Congress to push the Birthright Citizenship Act.
"President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship puts America first," Strong said. "Now, Congress must take action and pass this bill to close the loopholes that have gotten us here. Plainly said, birthright citizenship incentives illegal immigration. That's what it does; it incentivizes illegal immigration. Birthright citizenship strains our healthcare, education and social services systems. Hospitals and schools are overwhelmed. Taxpayers are forced to pay for the services of families who find a way around the legal immigration system."
"Our welfare system already takes up roughly 20% of our budget, and that number only continues to grow. Birthright citizenship also undermines the principles of fairness. No one has the right to skip the line and cross our border and go around the legal barriers in place," he added.
Similar legislation was touted in 2023 by U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) but never received any deliberation in the House.
The bill would clarify that birthright citizenship, as defined in the 14th Amendment, would only apply to those born to at least one U.S. citizen or someone in the country legally.
"The days of illegal immigrants demanding the same rights and benefits of American citizens are over," Strong said. "Citizenship should be earned through a shared commitment to the values and laws [of] our country, not automatically granted by the mere circumstance of birth within a border. Ending birthright citizenship will prioritize the rights of American citizens and lawful residents. This reform is not about denying opportunity; it's about ensuring fairness, order and a system that works for everyone."
He continued, "We can no longer allow our immigration system to be exploited. We must put an end to birthright citizenship. Those that desire to be a United States citizen must do it legally. You must assimilate, pledge your allegiance to America, follow our laws and speak our language."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
