US launches global crackdown on illegal ‘birth tourism’, revokes visas in Africa

The United States Department of State has intensified enforcement actions against what it describes as illegal “birth tourism” schemes aimed at securing American citizenship for children through visitor visas.

This was disclosed in a statement posted via the department’s official X handle on Wednesday.

“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.

“A U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network involving more than 100 foreign nationals using fraudulent documents and visa ‘fixers’ to obtain visas in order to secure 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 dismantle similar operations.

“In Europe, a U.S. embassy identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024. Investigators traced them to at least six companies that coached applicants on what to say during their visa interviews, arranged U.S. housing, and set up delivery plans.

“We shut it down, revoked their visas, and permanently banned several fraudsters from travelling to the United States.

“One U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to ‘birth tourist’ parents who came to the United States primarily to give birth so their children could obtain U.S. citizenship.

“Consular officers, working with law enforcement and using data analytics, identified several networks abusing the system and put a stop to them.

“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 said.