Rep. Morgan Griffith defended legislation that would limit birthright citizenship in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, arguing that the privilege should not be abused by foreign nationals.
In comments to El Diario, the Virginia Republican said he supports broader changes to birthright citizenship laws across the United States but believes Congress can more easily enact reforms in the territories.
“I wish we could reform birthright citizenship laws throughout the United States,” Griffith said. “Reforms to birthright citizenship benefit all U.S. citizens, including those in the U.S. territories, by limiting the privileges of citizenship to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and their descendants.”
Griffith argued that the proposal is intended to address so-called “birth tourism,” in which foreign nationals travel to U.S. jurisdictions so their children automatically acquire U.S. citizenship. He cited Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as examples, pointing to reports alleging that some Chinese nationals have traveled there to give birth.
The congressman also said a recent Supreme Court ruling involving President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship leaves room for Congress to pursue changes in U.S. territories through legislation. He referenced the Fitisemanu v. United States case, in which a federal appeals court ruled that people born in American Samoa are not automatically entitled to birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment.
