What is birthright citizenship and how common is birth tourism in the US? - BBC News

The Trump administration is trying to restrict access to US citizenship for some people through attempts to end birth tourism and tighten other criteria.

Image source, Getty ImagesByGrace Eliza Goodwin and Jake HortonPublished7 August 2026US President Donald Trump has announced new executive orders aimed at ending so-called birth tourism in the US and limiting birthright citizenship for certain groups.

It is part of a renewed effort by his administration to restrict access to US citizenship after the Supreme Court shot down Trump's first attempt in June.

Birthright citizenship refers to the practice of granting citizenship to those born on US soil, with some exceptions, while birth tourism is when foreign nationals come to the US specifically to give birth and get their child citizenship.

Here's what you need to know.

Trump signed two executive orders, a written order issued by a president to the federal government which does not require congressional approval, on Thursday.