Nearly 400,000 Children Born To Noncitizen Parents In 2024, Fueling Citizenship Debate

The United States recorded close to 400,000 births to noncitizen parents in 2024, a number that has reignited the national conversation about birthright citizenship. According to the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), approximately 300,000 of these births were to illegal immigrants, while an additional 72,000 involved foreign nationals on temporary visas.

These children, often referred to as “anchor babies,” are granted automatic U.S. citizenship under the current interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Critics argue that this policy not only undermines immigration law but also incentivizes illegal entry into the country by creating a legal pathway for families to remain permanently.

President Donald Trump has committed to addressing this issue in his upcoming term. During his campaign, Trump vowed to sign an executive order ending the automatic granting of citizenship to children born to individuals without lawful residency. “On day one of my new term, I will act to stop this misuse of our system,” Trump said, calling the policy a loophole that must be closed.

The Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment has never been definitively interpreted by the Supreme Court in the context of children born to illegal immigrants. Many legal scholars argue that the clause does not apply to children of parents who are not fully subject to U.S. jurisdiction, as was intended when the amendment was ratified.

The United States is one of the few developed nations that provides unrestricted birthright citizenship. Most countries, including France, Ireland, and Australia, require at least one parent to hold citizenship for a child to automatically receive the same status. The disparity has fueled calls for the U.S. to adopt stricter policies that align with global norms.

Public opinion appears to support reform, with polling showing that a significant portion of Americans agree with Trump’s plan. As the U.S. continues to grapple with nearly 400,000 births to noncitizen parents each year, the debate over birthright citizenship remains a pressing issue in immigration policy discussions.