Continuing to Protect the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship

Current rules

Section 5 (a) of the Presidential Order states: 'Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice. DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE, 6 August 2026. eo-14418 Download The post Continuing to Protect the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship appeared first on The White House .'

Overview

A new executive order, signed on 6 August 2026, modifies the interpretation of birthright citizenship in the United States following a Supreme Court decision. The order specifies conditions under which federal agencies should not recognise U.S. citizenship for children born to non-citizen parents, including cases involving foreign government employees, alien enemies, or commercial birth tourism. Federal agencies are mandated to align their policies with this order and issue public guidance within 30 days.

What changed in the latest version

This clarification is important because it stops the Presidential Order from accidentally limiting the existing legal powers of executive departments. It also stops it from limiting the budget duties of the Office of Management and Budget. The order clearly states that it does not create new rights or benefits that people can use in court. This reduces possible legal challenges against the United States government based on this order. Assigning the Department of Justice to pay for printing the order makes clear who is responsible for this task. These additions make the framework for carrying out the order more complete and legally sound.

Explained simply

Imagine you're born in the U.S., but your parents aren't U.S. citizens. This new rule says that if your parents are, for example, from certain bad groups, work for foreign governments, or paid someone just so you could be born here to become a U.S. citizen, then the government won't see you as a U.S. citizen. This is a big change because usually, if you're born in the U.S., you're a citizen.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v1Effective 6 Aug 2026Executive OrderCritical impact
   Continuing to Protect the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship

   The United States policy on birthright citizenship has been updated. The Presidential Order, called 'Continuing to Protect the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship', now includes more 'General Provisions' in Section 5(a). Before, this section ended suddenly. It said 'Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or '. The updated policy now fully explains that the order does not reduce the power given by law to executive departments or agencies. It also does not reduce the duties of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The policy makes clear that the order does not create any rights or benefits that people can use in court. It also says that the Department of Justice will pay for printing the order. This order started on 6 August 2026. It mainly applies to United States executive departments and agencies.

Timeline

1. Action deadline

   5 Sept 2026

   Heads of all executive departments and agencies shall issue public guidance regarding the implementation of this order within 30 days of 6 August 2026.

2. Announced

   6 Aug 2026

   On 6 August 2026, President Trump issued an Executive Order aiming to refine the interpretation of birthright citizenship in the U.S. This order specifies categories of children born to non-citizen parents who will not be recognised as U.S. citizens, focusing on instances involving foreign adversaries, government employees, fraudulent commercial transactions for birth tourism, and births in speci

3. Takes effect

   6 Aug 2026

   The new rule, established by this Executive Order, states that executive departments and agencies shall not issue or accept documents recognising United States citizenship for persons whose parents are neither citizens and fall under specific categories. These categories include children whose parents are foreign enemy aliens (designated terrorists), foreign government employees (ambassadors, emba