Texas Republican leaders are advancing efforts to restrict birth tourism, coinciding with legal challenges to a Trump administration executive order targeting birthright citizenship. The state-level push comes as the federal policy encounters obstacles in court.
Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton are targeting businesses they say encourage noncitizens to come to Texas to give birth for citizenship purposes, while Rep. James Comer raised similar concerns during a House hearing on birthright citizenship. The efforts come as Trump's executive order on the issue faces legal challenges.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on August 6, 2026, attempting to limit birthright citizenship through a narrower approach targeting children of foreign lobbyists and tourists, weeks after the Supreme Court struck down his initial, broader attempt to curtail the constitutional guarantee.
The Supreme Court has issued multiple election-related rulings during the 2026 midterm cycle that legal experts say will significantly benefit Republicans, including decisions affecting campaign finance and birthright citizenship. The moves come as Democrats hold substantial fundraising advantages in key Senate races.
