🇺🇸 Citizenship

What changed

The United States policy on birthright citizenship has been updated. This update is in the Presidential Order called 'Continuing to Protect the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.' New 'General Provisions' were added to Section 5(a). The earlier version of the order ended suddenly. It said, 'Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or '. The updated policy now fully explains this part. It states the order does not limit the power given by law to executive departments or agencies. It also does not limit the work of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The policy also makes clear that the order does not create any rights or benefits that people can legally enforce. It says the Department of Justice must pay for publishing the order. This order started on 6 August 2026. It mainly applies to United States executive departments and agencies.

What changed

A U.S. District Court in Maryland stopped a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy from August 2025. This policy had limited voter registration help at naturalisation ceremonies to only state and local election officials. Because of this decision, the USCIS Policy Manual from 28 June 2017, is back in effect. This manual allows Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to give this help.