Nearly 400,000 children were born in the United States to illegal migrant parents in 2024, igniting fresh concerns about the implications of birthright citizenship. Data from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) indicates that this figure includes 300,000 births to illegal immigrants and 72,000 to foreign nationals on temporary visas.

These children, known as “anchor babies,” automatically receive U.S. citizenship, despite their parents having no legal status or permanent ties to the country. Critics argue that this policy incentivizes illegal immigration and creates a pathway for entire families to gain residency through chain migration.

If you want another legal immigration scam, here you go. 400k "anchor babies" were born to non-US citizens in 2024 alone. When an anchor baby reaches adulthood, they are allowed to sponsor their parents and foreign relatives for green cards, anchoring yet more non-US citizens. pic.twitter.com/0BBF7YjJFf

— RAW EGG NATIONALIST (@Babygravy9) January 4, 2025

The practice of granting citizenship to children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status, stems from an interpretation of the 14th Amendment. However, legal scholars have long debated the clause’s application to children of noncitizens. Many argue that the amendment was never intended to extend citizenship to individuals not fully subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

This is the history and purpose of birthright citizenship and why President-elect Trump is correct that it does not apply to the children of illegal aliens. pic.twitter.com/WGGwKXc445

— Heritage Foundation (@Heritage) January 3, 2025

If the mom and dad are not American citizens, anchor babies belong to the country in which the parents belong to

— Rosie Ferguson (@RosieFergu87542) January 4, 2025

The United States remains one of the few developed nations to offer birthright citizenship without restriction. Most European countries, along with Australia and New Zealand, require at least one parent to be a citizen for a child to gain automatic citizenship. This stark contrast has led many Americans to call for reforms aligning U.S. policy with international standards.

Illegal aliens taking over America ONE baby at a time.
Analysis: Nearly 400K Anchor Babies Born in 2024 https://t.co/qkBCW5hPd6 via @BreitbartNews

— BigTex2024 (@DennisWayne4591) January 4, 2025

2024: 1,100 anchor babies born every day in US ~ https://t.co/EYSDZ4UrmW

— MikeKirby (@mikekirbyone) January 4, 2025

Polls show that a growing number of Americans support Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship. With 400,000 births to noncitizen parents recorded in 2024, the debate over this controversial practice is expected to remain at the forefront of national immigration policy discussions.

Report: 400,000 Anchor Babies Born in the U.S. in 2024 https://t.co/eNFx8vZRX6

— Jim Brown (@Esther4_12) January 4, 2025

No more “anchor babies.” NONE. https://t.co/fp26Fouhmf

— Hawkaboo (@Hawkabooboo) January 4, 2025