On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio took to social media to assert that “American citizenship is not for sale,” as he pledged to take action against what is known as birth tourism.
Rubio announced the formation of a task force aimed at halting what he described as the “heinous abuse of our nation’s laws.” He was referring to individuals who travel to the United States with the goal of giving birth on American soil, thereby securing citizenship for their child.
However, this stance quickly drew criticism, particularly regarding the rhetoric of “American citizenship is not for sale,” given the actions of his superior.
President Donald Trump has introduced the “Trump gold card,” which serves as a fast-track pathway to citizenship for wealthy foreign elites. For a fee of $1 million, applicants can obtain lawful permanent residence—a process that typically involves years and numerous legal steps—in just a matter of weeks, according to the program’s website. Over time, holders of the Trump gold card can also apply for U.S. citizenship.
In light of this, Rubio’s critics were quick to point out these contradictions.
