Anchors Away Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9562
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T13:38:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, known as the "Anchors Away Act," aims to clarify rules for U.S. citizenship granted at birth under the Immigration and Nationality Act and to restrict entry into the United States for certain pregnant foreign nationals seeking temporary admission.
Key Provisions
- Citizenship at birth: Amends the definition of individuals "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States for birthright citizenship purposes. A person born in the U.S. qualifies only if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident living in the U.S., or an alien in lawful immigration status serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Inadmissibility rule: Adds a new category making pregnant foreign nationals inadmissible if they seek entry as temporary visitors (nonimmigrants) and are not married to a U.S. citizen. This does not apply to those seeking legitimate medical care related to childbirth.
- Effective date: The changes apply immediately upon enactment to births occurring on or after that date and to any applications for admission made on or after that date.
- Protections: Includes severability clauses ensuring that if any part of the law is found invalid, the rest remains in effect, and prior citizenship statuses are unaffected.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Modifies Section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding a specific definition for birthright citizenship eligibility, narrowing the interpretation of the 14th Amendment's "subject to the jurisdiction" clause.
- Expands Section 212(a)(10) of the same Act to create a new ground for denying entry based on pregnancy and marital status with a U.S. citizen.
- These represent shifts from prior interpretations that generally granted citizenship to nearly all individuals born on U.S. soil regardless of parental status.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: May require updates to immigration processing systems, border enforcement protocols, and citizenship verification procedures by agencies like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Customs and Border Protection.
- On citizens: Limits automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who do not meet the new criteria, potentially affecting family structures and future immigration pathways.
- On international relations: Could influence travel and tourism from abroad, as pregnant foreign nationals not married to U.S. citizens face new barriers to temporary entry, possibly prompting diplomatic discussions or adjustments in visa policies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Foreign nationals seeking temporary admission to the U.S., particularly those who are pregnant and unmarried to U.S. citizens.
- U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who may be parents of children born in the U.S.
- U.S. military personnel and their families in immigration contexts.
- Immigration enforcement and adjudication agencies responsible for applying the new rules.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill explicitly references the 14th Amendment while redefining eligibility for birthright citizenship, which could lead to court challenges over constitutional interpretation.
- Introduces a distinction based on marital status and pregnancy for entry decisions, raising questions about equal treatment under immigration law.
- Includes built-in severability to preserve the law if portions are invalidated, indicating awareness of potential legal vulnerabilities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Anchors Away Act — issued 2026-06-30 — PDF (4 pages)