Senator Schmitt Introduces Bill to Restore Integrity of American Citizenship

Bill Follows SCOTUS’ Disastrous Decision Upholding Unlimited Birthright Citizenship U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee of the Constitution, introduced the American Citizenship Act to protect American citizenship and rein in birthright citizenship abuse. This announcement follows the Supreme Court’s decision declaring that current law grants birthright citizenship to the children of illegal and temporarily present aliens. “American citizenship is sacred—our nation, and its people, are bound together by the values and freedoms our forefathers fought a revolution to secure. But the Supreme Court’s erroneous interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment last month degraded the meaning of that citizenship by extending it to children born to illegal or temporary aliens—including ‘birth tourists’—who come to our country in violation of our laws. That is an egregious departure from the original meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment. I introduced the American Citizenship Act to restore that original meaning, challenge the Supreme Court’s decision, protect the sacred bond of American citizenship, and honor the legacy of our nation’s patriots who fought to protect what it means to be an American. It would restart our fight in the courts for sanity in birthright citizenship. While the Supreme Court’s decision threatens to destroy American citizenship, I am fighting to defend it,” said Senator Schmitt. Schmitt’s bill would restore the scope of citizenship to only the children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. Background: Last month, Schmitt announced he will introduce a constitutional amendment to protect American citizenship and rein in abuse of birthright citizenship. Schmitt led an amicus brief in support of President Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order defending the original meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Schmitt has led several hearings on the importance of protecting American citizenship. In March , Schmitt highlighted the threat of birth tourism, and recently, his hearings examined denaturalizations and restoring pride in American citizenship. ###