US may ask parents to prove citizenship or immigration status to get passports for their children

The US State Department is proposing a new rule that would require parents applying for passports for their children to show proof of their own citizenship or immigration status. This comes as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to limit birthright citizenship. The draft guidance, obtained by Reuters, outlines how the State Department could enforce Trump's August 6 executive order aimed at curbing "birth tourism" and expanding historical exceptions to birthright citizenship.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that the administration is committed to protecting the meaning and value of American citizenship. However, the Supreme Court previously ruled that Trump's initial attempt to limit birthright citizenship was unconstitutional. The new directive would apply to children whose parents are foreign government employees in the US, engaged in fraudulent activities, or classified as "alien enemies."

To implement this rule, parents would need to provide evidence of their citizenship or immigration status, such as a valid US passport or a legal permanent residency card, when applying for their child's passport. Currently, parents only need to prove parentage and present photo identification. Lawyers challenging the new order argue that it is an unprecedented measure and have sought to block its enforcement.