Texas Rep. Brian Harrison Demands State Halt Birth Certificates for Non-Citizens After Supreme Court Ruling

Texas State Representative Brian Harrison and other conservative lawmakers are urging Governor Greg Abbott to convene a special legislative session to stop issuing birth certificates to children born to non-citizens. The request follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that Harrison argues opens the door for states to reconsider birthright citizenship policies.

In a letter to Abbott, Harrison stated that the current practice of issuing birth certificates to children of non-citizens incentivizes illegal immigration and burdens state resources. He called on the governor to act quickly to address what he described as a loophole in state law.

The Supreme Court ruling referenced by Harrison has not been publicly detailed, but conservative lawmakers interpret it as allowing states to deny birth certificates to children of non-citizens. Legal experts note that birthright citizenship is protected under the 14th Amendment, and any state action could face constitutional challenges.

Governor Abbott has not yet responded to the request. If he calls a special session, lawmakers would need to pass legislation to halt the issuance of birth certificates to non-citizens' children, a move likely to spark intense debate in the state legislature.

Opponents of the proposal argue that denying birth certificates would create a class of stateless children and violate federal law. The issue is expected to be a flashpoint in Texas politics as the state continues to grapple with immigration policy.