Bill · S. 4501· Senate(119-S-4501)
BACK OFF Act
- Introduced
- 5/12/2026
- Last activity
- 5/12/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2239-2240)
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Barring American Citizenship by Keeping Out Foreign Fraudsters" Act, or "BACK OFF Act," aims to prevent birth tourism. It establishes new grounds for inadmissibility and deportability for aliens seeking to give birth on United States soil to obtain citizenship for their children. The bill introduces mandatory medical examinations for certain female nonimmigrants and provides for expedited removal processes. It also implements criminal penalties for those who facilitate birth tourism through fraud or assistance. Additionally, it creates a Taskforce on Birth Tourism within the Department of Homeland Security to investigate these activities. Finally, it establishes sanctions against countries that refuse to accept removed individuals.
Yes
Does this tighten control of the border?+5
The bill increases enforcement and creates a taskforce to prevent individuals from entering the country for the purpose of birth tourism.
The opposite· 3 of 7
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?-8
The bill creates new grounds for inadmissibility and deportability that directly block the path to citizenship via birth.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-7
The bill limits judicial review and places a heavy burden of proof on the alien during expedited removal proceedings.
Would women be better off under this?-6
The bill requires mandatory medical examinations and potential detention for biological females of childbearing age suspected of birth tourism.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prevention of Birth Tourism: The bill aims to stop aliens from undermining United States sovereignty by entering or remaining in the country specifically to give birth and obtain citizenship for their children (Section 2).
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Criminal Deterrence for Facilitators: By establishing strict criminal penalties—including prison time of up to 25 years—the law seeks to deter individuals from providing housing, transportation, or financial support to facilitate birth tourism (Section 6).
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Targeting Healthcare Fraud: The bill includes provisions to penalize those who misapply or steal funds from Federal healthcare programs to encourage or facilitate birth tourism (Section 6).
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Enhanced Enforcement through Taskforce: The creation of a Taskforce on Birth Tourism allows for dedicated investigation and enforcement of laws against those running birth tourism operations (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Mandatory Medical Examinations and Detention: Biological females of childbearing age seeking nonimmigrant visas for business or pleasure may be required to undergo medical examinations and could face temporary detention if an officer suspects they are likely to give birth in the U.S. (Section 5).
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Strict Inadmissibility and Deportability Rules: Aliens who are not permanent residents and are deemed likely to give birth within 10 months of entry may be denied entry or face deportation (Section 2).
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Limited Judicial Review: The bill includes a provision that prohibits judicial review of findings, decisions, or actions taken during the expedited removal proceedings for birth tourism (Section 4).
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Visa Suspensions for Foreign Countries: If a country of birth or nationality refuses to accept a removed alien within 14 days, the Secretary of State may be directed to pause visa issuance for all citizens of that country for 180 days (Section 4).
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Burden of Proof on the Alien: In expedited removal proceedings, the burden of proof rests on the alien to establish that they are a lawful permanent resident or are not subject to the new inadmissibility grounds (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women-6Good For Hispanic Americans-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process-7Improves Government Transparency-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+5Improves Pathway To Citizenship-8Improves Racial Equity-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances-3
- 7/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2239-2240)
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina