As of February 2026, no practical changes have been made to the birthright citizenship laws in the United States, despite federal government's attempts to limit them. Federal courts have intervened and suspended the application of proposed rules that would modify automatic citizenship for certain newborns. This has left many aspects of citizenship law unchanged while legal challenges are ongoing.

The focal point of these changes is Executive Order 14156, signed on January 20, 2025, during the commencement of President Trump's new term. Dubbed "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship," this order aims to amend the existing laws regarding automatic citizenship for specific groups, particularly targeting children of undocumented immigrants. This order was intended to escalate a long-standing debate around who qualifies for citizenship by birth in the U.S.

The executive order has faced resistance in federal courts, which have stalled its implementation, thereby prolonging uncertainty surrounding the future of birthright citizenship in the U.S. The ongoing legal proceedings could significantly influence the immigration landscape and the citizenship rights of future generations, portraying a critical moment for the current administration's policy direction.