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 says undermines state authority on citizenship documentation.

In a letter to Abbott, Harrison argued that the state should not be compelled to issue birth certificates that could be used to claim U.S. citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. He called the current practice a violation of the state's sovereignty and urged immediate legislative action.

The lawmakers propose that Texas stop issuing birth certificates to children whose parents cannot prove legal residency. They believe this would prevent what they describe as misuse of the birth certificate system and align state policy with federal immigration law.

Governor Abbott has not yet responded publicly to the request for a special session. The legislative session would need to be called to consider the proposed changes, which would likely face legal challenges if enacted.