Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to clarify the 14th amendment does not provide for automatic citizenship for the children of aliens.
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 190
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:20:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.J. Res. 190
Purpose
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify the meaning of the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause. It aims to limit automatic birthright citizenship to children born in the United States only when at least one parent meets specific legal status requirements.
Key Provisions
- Section 1: Defines "subject to the jurisdiction of the United States" under the 14th Amendment to include only persons born in the United States whose parents include at least one who is:
- A U.S. citizen.
- A U.S. national.
- An alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence with residence in the United States.
- Section 2: Grants Congress authority to enact legislation to implement the article.
- The amendment would require ratification by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years of submission.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Alters the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which has generally granted citizenship to nearly all individuals born on U.S. soil.
- Introduces new restrictions on citizenship based on parental status, excluding children of certain non-citizens, including those without permanent legal status.
- Represents a shift from automatic citizenship by birth to a conditional framework tied to parental eligibility.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Could require updates to citizenship verification processes by agencies such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of State, affecting birth records and passport issuance.
- Citizens: May impact individuals born in the U.S. to parents without qualifying status, potentially leaving some without automatic citizenship.
- International relations: Could affect relations with countries whose citizens reside in the U.S. without permanent status, as well as broader immigration policy discussions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Children born in the United States to non-qualifying parents.
- Immigrant communities, including those with temporary or undocumented status.
- U.S. Congress and state legislatures involved in ratification.
- Federal courts responsible for interpreting citizenship claims.
- Executive branch agencies handling immigration and naturalization.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- This proposal seeks to amend the Constitution, requiring broad state approval rather than simple legislative action.
- It directly addresses debates over the 14th Amendment's jurisdiction clause, potentially leading to new legal challenges if ratified.
- The measure could influence future legislation on immigration enforcement and citizenship rules.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-02: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to clarify the 14th amendment does not provide for automatic citizenship for the children of aliens. — issued 2026-06-02 — PDF (2 pages)