SJRES189119th Congress

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect United States citizenship.

Sponsored By: Senator Paul, Rand [R-KY]

Introduced

Summary

This amendment would sharply narrow who counts as "subject to the jurisdiction of the United States" under the Fourteenth Amendment and thereby limit automatic U.S. citizenship by birth. It ties birthright eligibility to the legal status of at least one parent rather than the fact of being born on U.S. soil.

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  • Families and children: U.S.-born children would be citizens only if one parent is a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, a lawful permanent resident who lives in the United States, or an alien with lawful status while serving in the Armed Forces. This changes which newborns qualify for citizenship at birth.
  • Immigrant parents and communities: Parents who do not meet those specific statuses could have U.S.-born children who are not automatically treated as "subject to the jurisdiction" for Fourteenth Amendment purposes. That would shift how citizenship is determined for many children of non-citizen parents.
  • Congress and implementation: The amendment gives Congress explicit power to enact laws to carry out the new rule, leaving details of enforcement and eligibility to future legislation.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Limits birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children

If enacted, this joint resolution would amend the Constitution. It would limit who counts as "subject to the jurisdiction" under the Fourteenth Amendment. A child born in the United States would be a U.S. citizen only if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or national. A child would also qualify if a parent is a lawful permanent resident who lives in the United States. A child would also qualify if a parent is lawfully present and on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. The resolution would give Congress power to pass laws to carry out the amendment. It would require ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Paul, Rand [R-KY]

KY • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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