Steven Camarota, research director at the Center for Immigration Studies, testified before Congress Tuesday that he estimates between 200,000 and 300,000 children were born in the United States to birth tourists over the past decade, a practice he says allows foreign nationals to game the citizenship system.

Camarota told lawmakers the practice of birth tourism involves foreign nationals traveling to the United States on temporary visas for the sole purpose of giving birth to children who automatically receive American citizenship under the current interpretation of the 14th Amendment. These children are then typically raised abroad while retaining their U.S. citizenship and all the benefits that come with it.

Separate From Illegal Immigration

The Center for Immigration Studies estimates roughly 72,000 births occur annually to tourists, foreign students, and other temporary visa holders. This is in addition to the nearly 300,000 births each year to illegal immigrants, according to the center's research.

Camarota emphasized that birth tourism differs from births to illegal immigrants in a key way. While children born to illegal immigrants typically grow up in the United States, children born through birth tourism generally do not. The parents return to their home countries and raise the children there, with the American citizenship serving as a backup option or path to future benefits.

Industry Markets U.S. Citizenship

Congressional investigators are examining the birth tourism industry, which openly markets U.S. citizenship to wealthy foreigners willing to pay for travel packages and coaching on how to obtain visitor visas and enter the country specifically to give birth. These services are often provided through birthing centers that advertise their ability to secure American citizenship for children.

The practice has drawn criticism from Republicans who argue it exploits a loophole in birthright citizenship laws. Camarota told the House Oversight Committee the system allows people to "game" immigration rules by obtaining citizenship for children who have no substantial connection to the United States beyond the location of their birth.

Policy Debate Over Birthright Citizenship

The testimony comes as Republicans push for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and renewed debate over the scope of birthright citizenship. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof," language that has been interpreted to include nearly all births on American soil regardless of the parents' immigration status.

President Trump has repeatedly called for ending birthright citizenship for children born to non-citizens, though such a change would likely require a constitutional amendment or a Supreme Court decision overturning existing precedent. Democrats argue the practice is protected by the Constitution and that attempts to limit birthright citizenship are discriminatory.

Camarota's testimony provided lawmakers with new data on the scope of birth tourism, though critics note the estimates are based on modeling rather than direct counts. The Center for Immigration Studies has long advocated for restrictions on birthright citizenship, positioning the organization as aligned with Republican efforts to tighten immigration policy.