Graham Statement On Supreme Court Hearing Birthright Citizenship Case

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after the Supreme Court of the United States announced it would hear oral arguments on President Donald Trump's efforts to restrict birthright citizenship, which is a major pull factor for illegal immigration into the United States.

"I'm very pleased to hear that the Supreme Court will review President Trump's executive order to end the abuses of birthright citizenship.

"I have long believed that the 14^th amendment does not require granting citizenship to the children of illegal aliens or foreign nationals here on temporary, nonimmigrant visas. To that end, last year I introduced legislation to limit birthright citizenship.

"One of the greatest pull factors for illegal immigration is birthright citizenship. In addition, birth tourism, particularly involving China, is a large industry where people obtain tourist visas for the purpose of giving birth in the U.S. and establishing U.S. citizenship for that child. It is far past time for the United States to recognize the original, constitutional definition of birthright citizenship, as the current practice is being abused in so many ways.

"It is my hope the Court will settle this issue once and for all, and that my legislation to stop the abuse of birthright citizenship will pass quickly."

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