#53 Birthright Citizenship and Surrogacy Are Colliding—Here’s How to Protect Your Baby’s Citizenship - Lesa Slaughter

What happens when a baby born via surrogacy in the U.S. is suddenly left in legal limbo—unable to get a passport, unable to go home?

In this urgent and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne sits down with attorney and former intended parent Lesa Slaughter to explain the fast-changing legal landscape around birthright citizenship. They unpack what the Trump-era executive order could mean for international intended parents, the risks of stateless children, and what you must do now to protect your baby’s legal status.

Even if you’re U.S.-based, this conversation touches on surrogacy agency ethics, escrow fraud, and how to choose the right legal support. If you're planning a surrogacy journey or already matched with a surrogate, this is essential listening.

What You’ll Learn:

• 01:18 — Why the executive order threatens birthright citizenship

• 03:00 — What the courts have said so far (and what’s next)

• 06:50 — How international parents usually secure a U.S. passport

• 08:00 — Why dual citizenship may not protect you

• 10:00 — Why international parents need three lawyers, not two

• 12:14 — What happens if the order takes effect (hint: you don’t want to be the test case)

• 16:35 — How babies born via surrogacy can become stateless

• 20:00 — Why manipulating birth certificates could be considered fraud

• 23:55 — Should you still pursue U.S. surrogacy? Lesa’s honest advice

• 26:30 — What to ask your agency about post-birth support

• 28:00 — Why surrogacy agencies are largely unregulated

• 30:00 — State-specific laws around attorneys and escrow

• 35:00 — Final advice: build a team, expect the unexpected, and prepare
  

Resources Mentioned:

• BloomBridge App ⁠

• ⁠Surrogacy Starter Kit⁠

• ⁠Lesa Slaughter Website⁠

• ⁠SMS#9 Steal my process to picking a great agency - insider tips you don't want to miss⁠

• ⁠SMS#42 Questions to ask a Surrogacy Agency: First-Time Intended Parent Advice⁠
• ⁠SMS#51 How to Pick a Fertility Clinic for Surrogacy (Without Regret)

Matched already? Planning your journey? Don’t wait—consult with an experienced U.S. reproductive attorney AND an immigration lawyer from your home country. Then download the BloomBridge app to map your legal prep step-by-step.

“You vetted your surrogate, picked the perfect clinic—now make sure your baby has a way home.”