The US State Department has proposed a rule that could mandate parents to provide proof of their own citizenship or immigration status when applying for their children's passports. This directive aims to enforce President Donald Trump's August 6 executive order targeting birth tourism.

New Passport Requirements

The draft guidance provides the first detailed insight into how the State Department might enforce the executive order, according to Reuters. The proposed directive could deny citizenship to children whose parents are foreign government employees in the US, have engaged in fraudulent activities or commercial transactions to obtain citizenship, or are classified as alien enemies.

Under the new proposal, parents or legal guardians applying for their children's passports must submit documentation proving US citizenship or lawful immigration status. Currently, parents applying for a US-born child's passport must provide evidence of the child's US citizenship, proof of their relationship to the child, and government-issued photo ID. They generally are not required to submit separate documentation proving their own status.

"The Department will require parental information and evidence of parental citizenship or immigration status as part of its determination whether the applicant is subject to EO 14418," the publication reported, citing draft State Department guidance that references the executive order.

Political Context

This proposal follows Trump's renewed push to restrict birth tourism and birthright citizenship through executive orders in early August. This came after the Supreme Court ruled on June 30 that Trump's earlier, broader attempt to restrict birthright citizenship was unconstitutional.

The order also addresses births in US territories where citizenship is not conferred by federal statute, potentially opening another front in the administration's effort to restrict birthright citizenship. Earlier in July, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered an investigation into allegations of birth tourism at Mission Regional Medical Center. The hospital was accused of marketing birth packages in South Texas to foreign nationals.

The State Department did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comments.

The United States has struck two Iranian government tankers and adopted a "tanker for tanker" policy to deter attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump confirmed the escalation via Truth Social, warning of harder retaliation.

Escalation Near Strait of Hormuz

Trump described the military action as direct retaliation for Iran's failed attempt to mine the strait and an attack on a US base in Jordan. He stated that all previously placed mines have been removed or detonated, leaving the waterway clear.

According to Axios, the US military struck around 100 targets on Tuesday. Officials noted that roughly 40 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday under US military guidance. The strikes targeted two Iranian government tankers parked north of the US naval blockade line.

Civilian Casualties and Iranian Response

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei condemned the strikes, alleging that an attack on a wedding celebration in Kuhestak killed or injured more than 50 people. However, the New York Times reported at least four deaths, including one child, and 53 injuries based on local officials and the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Baqaei also referenced a previous strike on a girls' school in Minab that killed more than 150 civilians. He warned that Tehran would respond firmly to the attacks.

Energy Market Implications

Amid the conflict, Trump touted Venezuelan oil to offset high energy costs. However, GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan warned that US refineries were operating at 95% capacity during the summer, limiting room for additional crude imports.