H.R. 9919: Ban Birth Tourism Act of 2026

This bill would make it harder for people to enter or remain in the United States if the government believes they are coming mainly to give birth so their child will get U.S. citizenship.

What the bill changes

• Creates a new immigration ground for denial of entry. A person seeking a temporary visitor visa or entry as a nonimmigrant could be denied admission if officials determine they are coming for “birth tourism.”
• Defines “birth tourism” in two ways:
  • coming to the United States primarily to give birth so the child will receive U.S. citizenship; or
  • being likely to give birth within 10 months of entry, in a way that would likely result in the child getting U.S. citizenship because of being born on U.S. soil.
• Makes such people deportable. If a person is found to have entered the United States for birth tourism, they could be removed from the country.

Who would decide

The bill gives this judgment to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, or a consular officer, based on their “reasonable judgment.”

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill would let immigration officials block or remove foreign visitors they believe are coming to the U.S. mainly to have a child there so the child can claim U.S. citizenship at birth.

Relevant Companies

None found