John McGuire (R-VA)
Birthright Citizenship Clarification Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 5 Republican cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Birthright Citizenship Clarification Act of 2026. It aims to change who gets automatic citizenship when they are born in the United States. Specifically, it says that a child born in the United States will not automatically be a citizen if their parents are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and are instead in the country unlawfully or temporarily. The bill lists historical exceptions, like children of foreign ministers or enemies during a hostile occupation, who also do not get citizenship at birth. It uses categories from Executive Order 14160 to define temporary presence, such as tourists, students, and temporary workers. Finally, the changes apply to people born 30 days or more after the bill becomes law.
Yes
- Scored +7
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill aims to deter birth tourism and restrict automatic citizenship for children of individuals unlawfully or temporarily present in the U.S.
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
The legislation establishes strict federal criteria regarding citizenship and jurisdictional definitions under immigration law.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -8
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill directly restricts birthright citizenship for children of unlawful and temporary resident immigrants.
- Scored -7
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill restricts automatic birthright citizenship for newborns whose parents lack permanent legal status.
- Scored -5
Would children be better off under this?
Newborns of temporary or unlawful resident parents will be denied automatic U.S. citizenship at birth.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- According to Section 2, a stated purpose of the bill is to deter birth tourism and visa manipulation. Supporters might consider this a positive outcome because it attempts to stop people from using temporary visits to secure citizenship for their children.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Under Section 4, a child born in the United States will not be a U.S. citizen if their mother is unlawfully present in the country and their father is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. This could negatively impact families by denying citizenship at birth to newborns based on their parents' immigration status.
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Under Section 4, a child born in the United States will not be a U.S. citizen if their mother is lawfully present in the United States on a temporary basis (such as a student, tourist, or temporary worker) and their father is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. This could negatively impact individuals who are in the country legally on temporary visas by preventing their U.S.-born children from receiving birthright citizenship.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill directly restricts birthright citizenship for children of unlawful and temporary resident immigrants. Would children be better off under this? — Newborns of temporary or unlawful resident parents will be denied automatic U.S. citizenship at birth. Would students be better off under this? — Students present in the U.S. on temporary nonimmigrant visas will not be granted birthright citizenship for children born during their stay.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation establishes strict federal criteria regarding citizenship and jurisdictional definitions under immigration law.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill aims to deter birth tourism and restrict automatic citizenship for children of individuals unlawfully or temporarily present in the U.S. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill restricts automatic birthright citizenship for newborns whose parents lack permanent legal status.
- 10/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/20/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
Daniel MeuserRepublican · Pennsylvania
Tim MooreRepublican · North Carolina
Robert OnderRepublican · Missouri
Austin ScottRepublican · Georgia
Derrick Van OrdenRepublican · Wisconsin