July 1, Beijing time – After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned former President Trump’s executive order restricting “birthright citizenship” on June 30, the U.S. Justice Department has instructed federal prosecutors to prioritize investigating the so-called “birth tourism” industry.
According to a report, senior Justice Department official Colin McDonald issued a memo to all department staff, stating that they will “investigate and prosecute those who fraudulently exploit the U.S. immigration system.” People who travel to the U.S. under various pretenses to give birth, securing U.S. citizenship for their children, could face charges including visa fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and wire fraud.
An airplane is parked at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on October 10, 2025.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security had already directed its employees in April to focus on a special operation targeting “birth tourism.”
On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 to uphold lower court rulings, blocking Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship. After returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump signed the order, which stated that newborns whose parents are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents would not automatically gain citizenship. The order sparked multiple lawsuits across the country, with several federal district judges blocking its enforcement.
Those challenging the order argue it violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that all people born or naturalized in the U.S. and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens. The Trump administration, however, contends that the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” means citizenship cannot be granted solely based on birthplace, and that children of undocumented immigrants or temporary residents should not automatically receive U.S. citizenship.
According to the report, this memo from the Justice Department signals that despite the Supreme Court setback, the Trump administration continues to make cracking down on “birth tourism” a key priority in its hardline immigration policy.
Trump responded on social media, calling the Supreme Court’s decision “very bad for the U.S.” but adding that the birthright citizenship issue could be resolved through congressional legislation. He urged Congress to “start today” and take action to end what he called a “costly and unfair system for America.”
