US President Donald Trump has signed two new executive orders aimed at tightening rules on birthright citizenship.
This marks another effort to change the current policy after his earlier attempt was rejected by the Supreme Court.
The orders, signed on Thursday, introduce broader restrictions on who can automatically pass US citizenship to children born in the country.
One order expands the categories of non-citizens whose children may not qualify for birthright citizenship.
The second order targets what the administration describes as “birth tourism,” the practice of pregnant foreign nationals travelling to the U.S on temporary visas to give birth so their children can obtain American citizenship.
Under the new measures, the administration says children born to certain legal foreign residents, including diplomats and employees of international organisations, would no longer be eligible for automatic US citizenship.
The order could also have implications for people born in US territories if Congress approves proposed legislation to end automatic citizenship in those areas.
At present, people born in territories such as Puerto Rico receive US citizenship under federal law.
The Trump administration has consistently opposed birth tourism, describing it as an abuse of the immigration system.
The latest executive order also defines birth tourism as helping foreign nationals enter the US with the intention of giving birth in the country.
It gives the Secretary of State authority to take action against those involved, including imposing permanent entry bans on individuals found to have violated the policy.
Speaking after signing the orders, Trump said the measures were long overdue.
“This should have happened years ago, but we’re taking care of it now,” Trump said.
The latest move follows a June 30 Supreme Court ruling that blocked Trump’s earlier executive order on birthright citizenship.
In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that the US Constitution guarantees citizenship to children born on American soil, including those whose parents are undocumented immigrants or are in the country temporarily.
Trump criticised the ruling and expressed disappointment with some of the judges who voted against his position, including those he had appointed to the court.
Legal experts expect the new executive orders to face fresh court challenges in the coming months.
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