The U.S. has historically embraced the principle of “jus solis”, that a person is granted citizenship through place of birth, rather than “jus sanguinis” - the principle that a person's nationality at birth is the same as that of his natural parents. The U.S., Canada, Mexico and other Latin American countries follow variations of “jus solis” or birthright citizenship while many countries, including European countries, base a baby's citizenship on that of the parents. The 14th Amendment, Section 1, states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives John Campbell (R-CA), K. Michael Conaway (R-TX), John T. Doolittle (R-CA), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Peter Hoekstra (R-MI), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Mike Pence (R-IN), John Shimkus (R-IL) and Todd Tiahrt (R-KS). Its introduction in the House is a positive sign that both the U.S. Congress and the Administration are serious about correcting the growing competitiveness crisis for the United States.