US tightens citizenship rules, eyes passport scrutiny for parents

The State Department is preparing to implement stricter enforcement mechanisms around citizenship eligibility following an executive order aimed at curbing birth tourism—the practice of foreign nationals traveling to the US specifically to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.

Under the new enforcement framework, officials are expected to conduct more rigorous examinations of parental background and immigration status when processing passport applications for newborns and young children. The initiative broadens existing exceptions to birthright citizenship, which has traditionally been granted automatically to children born on US soil regardless of parental status.

The move reflects a shift in how federal authorities interpret and apply citizenship requirements. By scrutinizing parental documentation and legal status more thoroughly, the State Department aims to identify cases where citizenship may have been granted under circumstances the administration considers ineligible.

The policy carries particular implications for families in the Asia-Pacific region, where birth tourism has been documented. Malaysian and other regional nationals who have travelled to the United States for childbirth may face increased documentation requests or delays in securing passports for their US-born children.

Legal experts note the changes represent a significant departure from longstanding interpretations of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to those born in US territory. Implementation details remain subject to regulatory processes, though the State Department has signaled its commitment to enforcing the executive order across all relevant agencies.