Alien Visitor Policy: Simple, Rules-Based Entry System

This framework outlines a structured approach to managing non-citizens, referred to here as Alien Visitors, who enter and stay in the United States. The goal is to create a system that is clear, enforceable, predictable, and separate from the citizenship process.

What Is an “Alien Visitor”?

An Alien Visitor may include:

• Immigrant students
• Guest workers
• Recreational tourists
• Medical tourists

Visitors would not need to state their intention in advance and could change their purpose at any time. For example, a student could decide to get a job without having to report a formal change in status.

Entry Eligibility and Approval Process

A non-citizen with no flags in their national registry file would generally be free to enter the United States as a visitor.

What Are Flags?

Flags would be created under national laws enacted pursuant to the Constitution, with legal review and safeguards in place.

• Individual flags: Criminal records, outstanding judgments, or other person-specific concerns
• Category flags: Factors such as country of origin, sex, or age range

The effect of a flag could range from additional inspection to denial of entry.

First-Time Visitors

• First-time visitors would provide 30 days’ notice before entering
• If no flag is created during that period, permission to enter would be automatic

Border Crossing Rules

• Citizens and visitors must cross borders only at designated checkpoints
• Any undocumented or unreported crossing, in either direction, may result in permanent denial of entry
• Unauthorized crossings may also result in criminal prosecution

Financial Responsibility Requirements

All non-citizens would be responsible for covering their own costs while in the United States.

Health Insurance

• Visitors would be required to provide their own health insurance
• Insurance providers would not be required to cover high-cost medical conditions
• Pricing and coverage decisions would be between the insurer and the insured
• Inability to obtain insurance would not excuse compliance with this requirement

Education Costs

• Non-citizens would be required to fund the education of any school-age children present during the school year

Failure to Comply

• Visitors who fail to meet these requirements may be deported

Citizenship Rules

Under this framework, citizenship would not be granted automatically based solely on birth within the borders of the United States.

• Citizenship would be limited to people born to a mother who was a U.S. citizen at the time of birth
• This standard would apply whether or not the birth occurred inside the United States
• This change would require a constitutional amendment

Until such an amendment exists, pregnant non-citizens could be restricted from entering or
required to leave the United States.

Length of Stay

At the discretion of the president and Congress, Alien Visitors could be required to leave after a set period and remain outside the country for a specified time before returning.

Possible approaches include:

• Leaving after one year and remaining outside the United States for six months
• Leaving after a period of up to one year
• Remaining outside the country for at least half the time previously spent in the United States

Natural Governance does not recommend one specific maximum stay or absence requirement. That decision would be left to policymakers.

Visitation and Citizenship Are Separate

Alien visitation and citizenship would remain entirely separate. Time spent in the United States as a visitor would not create a preferential path to citizenship.

• No amount of visitor time would entitle someone to citizenship preference
• Wrongful conduct as a visitor could be considered when reviewing a citizenship application
• Undocumented presence, after a reasonable time to cure, would permanently bar citizenship

Policy Goals

• Create clear and enforceable immigration rules
• Allow lawful visitation without unnecessary bureaucracy
• Ensure visitors are financially self-sufficient
• Separate temporary visitation from citizenship
• Discourage unauthorized border crossings and undocumented presence
• Promote consistency, fairness, and accountability