Bill would strip birthright citizenship from millions of U.S.-born children

What it does

This bill narrows birthright citizenship by requiring at least one parent to be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or active-duty military member for a child born in the U.S. to automatically become a citizen—overriding the 14th Amendment's current interpretation. It also bars pregnant non-citizens who are unmarried to U.S. citizens from entering the country as temporary visitors, with a narrow exception for medical treatment related to childbirth.

Why we flagged it

The bill's core function is to restrict both birthright citizenship eligibility and admission of pregnant non-citizens. While titled 'Anchors Away Act' (a colloquial reference to children born to non-citizen mothers), the operative mechanism is a constitutional reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment's jurisdiction clause and a new categorical bar on admission.

What the text implies

• The bill's definition of 'subject to the jurisdiction' may conflict with current 14th Amendment jurisprudence (United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 1898), which grants citizenship to children born in the U.S. regardless of parental status, except for children of diplomats or invading forces. The severability clause suggests drafters anticipated constitutional challenge.
• The pregnancy bar creates a gender-specific admission exclusion (only pregnant women are named) that may trigger heightened scrutiny under equal protection doctrine. The 'legitimate medical treatment' carve-out is narrow and may be difficult to apply in practice, potentially deterring pregnant women from seeking any admission.
• Retroactive application is barred ('shall not be construed to affect...any person born before the date of enactment'), but prospective application to all births after enactment could affect millions of children born to non-citizen or mixed-status parents, creating a two-tier citizenship system based on parental immigration status.
• The bill does not address children already born to non-citizen parents or the status of mixed-status families, leaving significant ambiguity about enforcement and family separation risks.
• The pregnancy bar may incentivize undocumented entry or visa overstay by pregnant women unable to obtain lawful admission, potentially increasing irregular migration rather than deterring it.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill restricts citizenship rights for U.S.-born children and limits admission rights for pregnant women, narrowing protections that currently apply broadly. While framed as immigration enforcement, the citizenship change affects fundamental rights of persons born on U.S. soil and their families, and the pregnancy bar creates a gender-specific, marital-status-based exclusion that may disproportionately harm vulnerable women.

Named in the bill

Immigration and Nationality Act, 14th Amendment, Section 301 (INA), Section 212 (INA), U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Homeland Security (implied enforcement)

Where it stands

2 cosponsors: 2 Republicans.

• Jun 30, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Jun 30, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.