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119-s-4973119th Congress

American Citizenship Act

Sponsored By: Senator Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would narrow birthright citizenship by changing the law so a child born in the United States is a citizen at birth only if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of birth. It also preserves the citizenship status of anyone born before the law takes effect.

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  • Children born to parents who are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents would not automatically receive U.S. citizenship at birth. This changes the basic rule that currently ties citizenship to birthplace.
  • Children with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident would still be treated as citizens at birth under the new wording.
  • The bill explicitly protects people born before enactment by leaving their citizenship and nationality status unchanged.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Limits birthright citizenship to parents

If enacted, this bill would change who is automatically a U.S. citizen at birth. A child born in the United States would be a citizen at birth only if at least one parent was a U.S. citizen or had been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of the child's birth. If neither parent met those conditions, the child would be deemed "subject to a foreign power" and would not get automatic citizenship at birth. The change would take effect when the law is enacted and would not affect people born before that date.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

MO • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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