US Cracks Down on Birth Tourism, Revokes Visas of Foreign Nationals

The United States Department of State has intensified efforts to curb what it described as illegal “birth tourism” schemes, revoking visas and imposing travel bans on foreign nationals accused of travelling to the country primarily to secure U.S. citizenship for their children.

In a statement posted on its official social media platform on Wednesday, the department said the move forms part of the administration’s efforts to protect the integrity of American citizenship and prevent abuse of the visitor visa system.

According to the State Department, foreign nationals are not permitted to obtain visitor visas for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so their children can automatically acquire U.S. citizenship.

“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes. No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the U.S.,” the statement read.

The department revealed that a U.S. embassy in West Africa recently uncovered what it described as a sophisticated birth tourism network involving more than 100 foreign nationals. The individuals were allegedly using fraudulent documents and visa facilitators, commonly referred to as “fixers,” to obtain visas under false pretences.

Officials said the operation was dismantled, the visas of those involved were revoked, and efforts are ongoing in collaboration with local authorities to identify and shut down similar networks.

The State Department also disclosed that investigations in Europe uncovered more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024. Authorities linked the cases to at least six companies accused of coaching visa applicants, arranging accommodation in the United States and coordinating childbirth plans.

As part of the crackdown, several visas were revoked, while some individuals identified as organisers of the schemes were permanently barred from entering the United States.

In North Africa, the department said more than 100 visas belonging to parents suspected of travelling to the U.S. mainly to give birth were also cancelled.

The department stressed that a U.S. visa remains a privilege rather than a right and warned that consular officials, working with law enforcement agencies and data analytics tools, would continue targeting individuals and organisations attempting to exploit the immigration system.