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Bill would end birthright citizenship in U.S. territories

U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith of Virginia has introduced a bill that would ban birthright citizenship in the U.S. territories of Guam, the Northern Marianas, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
U.S. Rep Morgan Griffith official photo
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith of Virginia has introduced a bill that would ban birthright citizenship in the U.S. territories of Guam, the Northern Marianas, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would end birthright citizenship for people born in U.S. territories.

The bill is known as the “End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act.” It would affect children born on or after Jan. 1, 2027, in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Children born in territories to United States citizens or permanent residents would still be granted U.S. citizenship.

The bill was introduced by Republican Rep. Morgan Griffith of Virginia, who said it "expressly reserves birthright citizenship for those in the territories born to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. This bill helps fight against the 'birth tourism' industry, which empowers foreign nationals to exploit U.S. citizenship laws."