BACK OFF Act

119th Congress Introduced by Ted Budd and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would bar admission and restrict stays for noncitizens whose primary purpose is giving birth in the United States to obtain citizenship or residency.

Introduced in Senate

Summary of Bill: S 4501 (Session 119) — Birthplace/Birth Tourism Control

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to bar aliens from admission to the United States for the purpose of giving birth on U.S. soil or for remaining in the United States to engage in birth tourism.

Overall aim: to undermine or reduce birth tourism and protect U.S. sovereignty by restricting the entry and stay of individuals whose primary objective is to give birth in the United States to confer citizenship or other residency benefits.

Key provisions and changes (as described by title and summary)

Prohibition on admission: The bill would prohibit admission of noncitizens (aliens) who intend to give birth in the United States.

Restrictions on existing or extended stays: The bill would limit or bar noncitizens from remaining in the United States if their presence is principally for the purpose of childbirth (birth tourism) or to obtain U.S. citizenship or residency through birth.

Possible alignment with immigration enforcement: By targeting birth tourism, the bill could empower or require immigration authorities to assess intent related to childbirth as part of admission decisions or visa determinations.

Note: The exact statutory language, definitions (e.g., what constitutes “birth tourism,” “intent,” or “alien”), and enforcement mechanisms would be specified in the full text of the bill. The summary provided here reflects the bill’s stated purpose and headline provisions.

Who would be affected

Foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States specifically to give birth (birth tourists) would be directly impacted.

Individuals currently in the United States whose status or visa is tied to birth-related immigration choices could face enhanced scrutiny, expedited departure, or denial of admission/visa renewals depending on the final enacted text.

U.S. immigration and border enforcement agencies would implement rules, assess admission or parole requests, and process expulsions or denials in cases involving birth tourism.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Action history:

Introduced in the Senate and read twice on 2026-05-12.
Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on 2026-05-12 (text reference: CR S2239-2240).

Sponsorship:

Co-sponsor: Senator John Cornyn.

Timeline beyond introduction: As of the provided information, the bill has been referred to committee for consideration. Its progression would depend on committee actions, potential amendments, and votes on the Senate floor, followed by potential House action and reconciliation if applicable.

Additional context and considerations

This summary reflects the bill’s stated objective to curb birth tourism as a matter of sovereignty and immigration control.

The bill’s impact, including any potential constituional or diplomatic considerations, would hinge on its final language, definitions, enforcement provisions, and any associated regulatory guidance.

Potential implications for visa policy, asylum adjudications, and parental/child welfare considerations would be explored in subsequent committee analyses and floor debate.