# What the PARENT Act of 2025 Actually Does

This bill would change who automatically becomes a U.S. citizen when born in the United States. Currently, under the 14th Amendment, anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a citizen, regardless of their parents' immigration status. This bill would narrow that rule significantly by requiring that at least one parent be either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) at the time of birth for a child born in the U.S. to automatically receive citizenship.

In practical terms, this means children born to undocumented immigrants in the United States would no longer automatically become citizens just by being born here. Under this bill, they would need to go through a separate process to become citizens later, likely as adults. For example, a child born to two undocumented parents in a U.S. hospital would not automatically be a citizen, even though they were born on American soil. The same would apply to children born to parents who are in the country on temporary visas but don't have permanent resident status.

The bill would only apply to people born after it becomes law, so it wouldn't affect anyone already born. However, it represents a major shift in how birthright citizenship works in America. This change would likely affect hundreds of thousands of children born annually to immigrant parents without legal permanent resident status. Supporters argue it clarifies citizenship rules, while critics contend it removes a longstanding protection that has made citizenship automatic for all children born in the U.S. for over 150 years.