Babies are an afterthought in the birthright citizenship case, advocates say

""It's in the words: 'birth' right citizenship this is about babies. This impacts every baby born in America," says Bruce Lesley, emphasizing the importance of considering children in the debate."

""Right now, when a baby is born in an American hospital or birth center, that baby is automatically a citizen with immediate access to a range of support and services," highlighting the benefits of current birthright citizenship."

""Despite this safety net coverage, the U.S. has significantly higher maternal and infant mortality rates than peer countries," pointing out the challenges that still exist despite available healthcare."

""A change to birthright citizenship would affect all children, however, not just those born to immigrant families," indicating the broader implications of altering citizenship laws."

Birthright citizenship ensures that every baby born in the U.S. automatically becomes a citizen, granting access to vital services. Pregnant women can receive Medicaid coverage regardless of immigration status, which includes prenatal and postnatal care. This coverage is crucial for healthy infant development, yet the U.S. faces high maternal and infant mortality rates. A proposed change to birthright citizenship would require all parents to prove their citizenship, complicating the process for millions of newborns and affecting all children born in the country.

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