The Trump administration continues to fight against the exploitation of lax U.S. immigration policies despite a “very unfortunate” SCOTUS ruling.
One week ago, President Trump signed two Executive Orders aimed at skirting the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the status quo on birthright citizenship.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced another big move, including a “task force” aimed at stopping the destructive shadow industry known as “birth tourism.”
“As President Trump has made clear, citizenship is not a commodity to be acquired through the calculated exploitation of U.S. immigration laws,” the State Department announced.
The State Department shared a bulleted plan and vowed to work with the Department of Homeland Security to dismantle the multi-international networks designed to undermine U.S. sovereignty.
Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, the Department of State is using all available tools to defend the integrity of U.S. citizenship.
That’s why the State Department has established a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force.https://t.co/v1MZjlmIND
— Department of State (@StateDept) August 12, 2026
While Secretary of State Marco Rubio received positive feedback for the announcement, he was simultaneously hit with backlash (and a community note) over Trump’s Gold Card program and concerns about H-1 B visas.
American citizenship is not for sale.
But elaborate birth tourism rings are profiting off the exploitation of America’s laws- coaching foreigners to defraud the U.S. visa system, arranging travel and housing, and even forging documents, all to enable foreign nationals to obtain…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) August 12, 2026
Thank you Marco! pic.twitter.com/0YW9Jlmx5V
— GinnyM (@PatriotXV11) August 12, 2026
A very large number of H1B, EAD, OPT et al visa workers are birth tourists too. Can we please change the laws for these programs to deny their children birthright citizenship.
— Santiago (@fezzaririder) August 12, 2026
Yes it is for sale. Trump said so himself. Trump’s Gold Cards can be bought for, what, $1 MLN, $5 MLN something like that. He’s letting his rich friends buy their citizenship, so I guess you’re wrong. American citizenship is for sale.
— Citizen Xero (@Citizen_Xero) August 12, 2026
The Gold Card program only grants a green card, not American citizenship. In contrast, birthright provides immediate citizenship. Marco is closing the loophole—great job!
— Jack (@JacksEsposito) August 12, 2026
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