A Republican bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2239-2240)
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
The "Barring American Citizenship by Keeping Out Foreign Fraudsters" Act, or "BACK OFF Act," aims to prevent birth tourism. It establishes new grounds for inadmissibility and deportability for aliens seeking to give birth on United States soil to obtain citizenship for their children. The bill introduces mandatory medical examinations for certain female nonimmigrants and provides for expedited removal processes. It also implements criminal penalties for those who facilitate birth tourism through fraud or assistance. Additionally, it creates a Taskforce on Birth Tourism within the Department of Homeland Security to investigate these activities. Finally, it establishes sanctions against countries that refuse to accept removed individuals.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill increases enforcement and creates a taskforce to prevent individuals from entering the country for the purpose of birth tourism.
The opposite· 3 of 7
- Scored -8
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill creates new grounds for inadmissibility and deportability that directly block the path to citizenship via birth.
- Scored -7
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill limits judicial review and places a heavy burden of proof on the alien during expedited removal proceedings.
- Scored -6
Would women be better off under this?
The bill requires mandatory medical examinations and potential detention for biological females of childbearing age suspected of birth tourism.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prevention of Birth Tourism: The bill aims to stop aliens from undermining United States sovereignty by entering or remaining in the country specifically to give birth and obtain citizenship for their children (Section 2).
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Criminal Deterrence for Facilitators: By establishing strict criminal penalties—including prison time of up to 25 years—the law seeks to deter individuals from providing housing, transportation, or financial support to facilitate birth tourism (Section 6).
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Targeting Healthcare Fraud: The bill includes provisions to penalize those who misapply or steal funds from Federal healthcare programs to encourage or facilitate birth tourism (Section 6).
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Enhanced Enforcement through Taskforce: The creation of a Taskforce on Birth Tourism allows for dedicated investigation and enforcement of laws against those running birth tourism operations (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Mandatory Medical Examinations and Detention: Biological females of childbearing age seeking nonimmigrant visas for business or pleasure may be required to undergo medical examinations and could face temporary detention if an officer suspects they are likely to give birth in the U.S. (Section 5).
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Strict Inadmissibility and Deportability Rules: Aliens who are not permanent residents and are deemed likely to give birth within 10 months of entry may be denied entry or face deportation (Section 2).
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Limited Judicial Review: The bill includes a provision that prohibits judicial review of findings, decisions, or actions taken during the expedited removal proceedings for birth tourism (Section 4).
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Visa Suspensions for Foreign Countries: If a country of birth or nationality refuses to accept a removed alien within 14 days, the Secretary of State may be directed to pause visa issuance for all citizens of that country for 180 days (Section 4).
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Burden of Proof on the Alien: In expedited removal proceedings, the burden of proof rests on the alien to establish that they are a lawful permanent resident or are not subject to the new inadmissibility grounds (Section 4).
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 women be better off under this? — The bill requires mandatory medical examinations and potential detention for biological females of childbearing age suspected of birth tourism. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill's emphasis on birth tourism enforcement could disproportionately affect Hispanic communities often associated with immigration movements.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill limits judicial review and places a heavy burden of proof on the alien during expedited removal proceedings. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill explicitly prohibits judicial review of findings and decisions made during expedited removal proceedings.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill increases enforcement and creates a taskforce to prevent individuals from entering the country for the purpose of birth tourism. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill creates new grounds for inadmissibility and deportability that directly block the path to citizenship via birth. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill's targeting of birth tourism and its impact on visa issuance for entire countries could disproportionately affect non-white immigrant populations.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill allows for unilateral visa suspensions against foreign countries that do not comply with removal requests, which could strain diplomatic relations.
- 7/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2239-2240)
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina