U.S. moves to end birth tourism, bans visitor visas used for childbirth citizenship

Abdullateef Fowewe

The U.S. State Department has announced it is moving to shut down birth-tourism schemes by barring visitor visas issued primarily to foreigners who travel to the United States to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.

“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

“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 noted that consular officers, working with law enforcement and using data analytics, have dismantled multiple networks worldwide.

“A U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network of more than 100 foreign nationals using fraudulent documents and visa ‘fixers’ to get themselves visas in order to get U.S. citizenship for their children.

“We shut it down, revoked these foreign nationals’ visas, and are coordinating with local authorities to systematically identify and cut off any similar operations,” the statement said.

In Europe, the department reported more than 400 suspected birth-tourism cases since 2024 linked to at least six companies that “coached applicants on what to say in their visa interview, arranged U.S. housing, and set up delivery plans.”

“We shut it down, revoked their visas, and permanently banned several fraudsters from traveling to the United States ever again,” the statement added.

A U.S. embassy in North Africa also revoked over 100 visas for parents who came primarily to give birth so their children would gain U.S. citizenship, the department said.

“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. The State Department is taking action around the world to stop this abuse, dismantle birth tourism networks, and hold accountable those who try to scam our system,” the statement concluded.

The department said measures include revoking visas, issuing permanent bans to fraudsters, coordinating with local authorities, and expanding use of data analytics to identify and halt similar operations globally.