Getting a Passport for Your Child Might Be More Challenging Than You Think

Due to proposed changes to birthright citizenship in the United States, many parents will face new challenges when obtaining passports for their newborn children. These same challenges apply to Social Security Numbers (SSNs) and federal benefits. Although this process was relatively simple in the past, it could become more complex – even for parents who are U.S. citizens. To learn about the potential next steps, consider contacting an experienced immigration lawyer in Palm Beach County.

  US Citizens May Need to Verify Their Immigration Status When Getting Passports for Newborns

 Due to a potential change in birthright citizenship rules, US citizens may need to verify their immigration status when applying for passports on behalf of their newborns. This is because being born in the United States may no longer guarantee citizenship in the United States. While the executive order is facing considerable opposition in the country’s highest courts, it could soon become a reality as the Supreme Court finally takes a look at the issue.

According to the State Department, officials may request proof that the parents of the child applying for a passport have the correct immigration status. Under the new proposed rules, a child born in the United States would not automatically become a citizen. Instead, the child would only become a citizen if their parents are US citizens.

This would put an end to the practice of moving to the United States just to have children, a strategy that has admittedly become quite popular in recent years. This strategy results in so-called “anchor babies,” and the legal status of these children has made it challenging for authorities to deport their parents.

The Social Security Administration echoes these guidelines, stating that parents who wish to apply for a Social Security Number would need to prove that they are citizens. Previously, parents could simply show a birth certificate proving that the child was born in a specific part of the United States.

Asylees and Refugees Are Exempt 

That being said, the children of asylees and refugees would be exempt from these requirements. The administration has finally clarified this issue, which had remained unclear since the initial announcement of the plan to ban birthright citizenship.

Will This Actually Happen? 

Various observers have different opinions about whether this will actually happen. Supporters of the Trump administration remain confident that this plan will succeed. Others, including many immigration lawyers, feel that the proposed change is inherently unconstitutional and therefore doomed to fail.

Can a Palm Beach County Immigration Lawyer Help My Family? 

A Palm Beach County immigration lawyer may be able to help your family pursue positive results. These legal professionals are well aware of the coming potential changes, and they can help you make the necessary adjustments as you pursue passports for your newborns. Nothing is set in stone as of this writing, but it never hurts to be proactive and plan for the worst-case scenario. Expand upon this conversation by contacting The Devore Law Group today.

Source:

indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/parents-prove-citizenship-status-for-newborns-documents-birthright-citizenship-trump-executive-order-immigration-policies-america-2762929-2025-07-29