US Expands Crackdown on Alleged ‘Birth Tourism’ Networks
The initiative includes the revocation of hundreds of visas and efforts to dismantle networks operating across parts of Africa and Europe that allegedly assist foreign nationals in traveling to the United States to give birth so their children can obtain citizenship.
Officials said the policy focuses on preventing visa fraud rather than criminalizing childbirth in the country. They emphasized that while giving birth in the US is not illegal for foreign visitors, misrepresenting the purpose of travel or using organized facilitation schemes to enter under false pretenses can violate immigration rules.
In a statement posted on X, the State Department said, “No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring US citizenship for a child by giving birth in the US,” as part of the announcement of the crackdown.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott also said in remarks shared on social media that such operations often involve expensive networks that coach applicants to deceive consular officials.
“Illicit ‘birth tourism’ networks charge tens of thousands of dollars and coach individuals to commit visa fraud by lying to our consular officers,” he said.
Under the US constitutional framework, birthright citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to nearly all individuals born on US soil regardless of parental nationality.
The current enforcement approach builds on measures introduced during President Donald Trump’s first term, when rules were adopted allowing consular officers to deny visas if they suspect the primary intent is obtaining citizenship through birth. Those regulations also require applicants seeking medical travel to provide documentation of treatment plans and proof of financial ability to cover costs, and remain in effect today.
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