Nearly 400,000 so-called “anchor babies” were born across the US in 2024.
Anchor babies—children born in the US to non-US citizens—are automatically given citizenship, despite have no ties to the country. When an anchor baby reaches adulthood, they are allowed to sponsor their parents and foreign relatives for green cards.
The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that 300,000 anchor babies were delivered to illegal-immigrant parents in 2024, and a further 72,000 were delivered to foreign tourists, foreign visa workers and foreign students.
President-elect Trump has signalled his intention to end birthright citizenship when he returns to power in just over two weeks.
“On day one of my new term in office, I will sign an executive order making clear to federal agencies that under the correct interpretation of the law going forward the future children of illegal aliens will not receive automatic U.S. citizenship,” Trump said in 2023.
Recent polling shows broad popular support for ending birthright citizenship, with 48% of whites and 42% of Hispanics supporting Trump’s proposal.
The US and Canada are two nations that offer birthright citizenship to anyone born within their territory.
Other nations like Australia and France offer birthright citizenship to children born to parents at least one of whom is a citizen.