Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The United States has stepped up its campaign against birth tourism, revoking visas and imposing travel restrictions on hundreds of foreign nationals accused of travelling to the country primarily to give birth and secure U.S. citizenship for their children.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State said it is targeting and dismantling networks that abuse the American visa system through fraudulent birth tourism schemes.
According to the department, the crackdown aligns with the administration of Donald Trump’s efforts to safeguard the integrity of U.S. citizenship and curb the misuse of visitor visas.
“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes,” the agency said.
According to the statement, a U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated operation involving more than 100 foreign nationals who allegedly relied on fake documents and visa facilitators to obtain travel permits for the purpose of giving birth in the United States.
The department said the network has been dismantled, the visas of those involved revoked, and investigations launched in collaboration with local authorities to identify and stop similar operations.
Authorities also reported uncovering a separate scheme in Europe, where more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases have been identified since 2024.
Investigators linked the cases to at least six companies accused of coaching visa applicants, arranging accommodation in the United States and coordinating childbirth plans designed to secure American citizenship for newborns.
Officials said visas connected to the operation were cancelled, while several organisers were permanently barred from entering the United States.
The State Department also revealed that more than 100 visas held by parents from North Africa were revoked after authorities determined they had travelled to the United States primarily to give birth.
According to the agency, consular officers collaborated with law enforcement authorities and employed advanced data analytics to identify and dismantle networks accused of exploiting the U.S. visa system.
Reaffirming its policy, the department emphasized that visitor visas are not available to foreign nationals whose primary purpose of travel is to secure U.S. citizenship for a child through birth on American soil.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the statement said, adding that authorities would continue targeting birth tourism operations worldwide and holding those involved accountable.
“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,” it added.
