JUST IN: Gaetz Introduces Bill To End ‘Anchor Baby’ Policy For Illegals

Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has introduced a bill aimed at ending the country’s birthright citizenship policy for illegal aliens. The policy, which grants automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. to illegal immigrant parents, has long been a contentious issue in American politics.

The bill, officially titled “Birthright Citizenship Act of 2023,” was exclusively reported by Breitbart News on Tuesday. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to ensure that a person born in the United States to an alien mother who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence is not automatically granted U.S. citizenship.

The bill aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to consider a person born in the United States “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States for citizenship at birth purposes if the person is born in the United States of parents, one of whom is:

a. A U.S. citizen or national,

b. A lawful permanent resident alien whose residence is in the United States, or

c. An alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Gaetz proposes to change the current interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

In his official press release from Gaetz’s office, the Florida Republican stated, “Birthright citizenship has been grossly and blatantly misapplied for decades, recently becoming a loophole for illegal aliens to fraudulently abuse our immigration system.”

“My legislation recognizes that American citizenship is a privilege –– not an automatic right to be co-opted by illegal aliens. This is an important step in preserving the sanctity of American citizenship and ensures that citizenship is not treated as a loophole to be exploited but rather a privilege to be earned when legally migrating to our country.”

The ‘anchor baby’ policy has been a hot-button issue in the U.S. for many years, with critics arguing that it provides an incentive for illegal immigration. They contend that the policy encourages individuals to enter the country unlawfully with the hope that their U.S.-born children will eventually be able to sponsor them for legal status.

Supporters of the policy, however, argue that it is a fundamental right enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

If passed, this bill would end the practice of granting automatic citizenship at birth to children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents who are not lawful permanent residents or serving in the U.S. military.

The proposed legislation is expected to face significant opposition from Democrats and immigration advocates who view it as an attempt to undermine the 14th Amendment. They argue that the amendment’s language is clear and that any change to birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment, not just a change in legislation.

The unveiling of this bill coincides with a period when the U.S. is wrestling with a spike in unlawful entries at its borders. U.S. Customs and Border Protection data indicates a substantial uptick in detentions at the southern frontier over the past few years. Gaetz, along with his Republican colleagues, contends that terminating the ‘anchor baby’ policy might act as a disincentive to illegal immigration.

Whether or not the bill will pass remains uncertain. It would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President to become law.