Canada's birthright citizenship law, which automatically grants passports to babies born on Canadian soil, is facing renewed criticism as the practice of birth tourism continues. Critics argue the policy, known as jus soli or right of soil, should be revised to find a middle ground.
Birth Tourism in Canada
Danyang Yang, a singer in China's Beijing Opera, flew to Vancouver in 2014 and again in 2017 to give birth in Canadian hospitals. She is among thousands of birth tourists who come to Canada each year. Yang later moved her family to Canada, becoming a permanent resident. When asked by a B.C. Supreme Court judge why she chose to give birth in Canada, she replied, "Canada is a very tolerant country. We thought it would be a wise idea to give birth to our second child and third child here."
The Legal Framework
Birthright citizenship exists in about 30 countries, including Canada and the United States. In the U.S., the issue is even more contentious, with the Supreme Court set to rule on President Donald Trump's executive order to end the practice. In Canada, the policy remains a simmering political issue.
Statistics and Impact
According to Pew Research, nearly 10% of all U.S. births in 2023 fell under birthright citizenship, totaling 320,000 babies. Of those, 245,000 were born to unauthorized migrants, 15,000 to mothers with temporary legal status, and about 60,000 to unauthorized mothers with citizen or permanent resident fathers. Birth tourists accounted for about 9,000 U.S. births.
Enforcement and Controversy
While U.S. authorities have cracked down on birth hotels, jailing operators for money laundering, Canada has not laid charges despite the existence of such operations. Critics argue that Canada should follow suit and revise its birthright citizenship law to curb abuse.
The debate continues as policymakers weigh the benefits of tolerance against the need for immigration control.
