The US State Department has launched an effort to combat ‘birth tourism’, a practice in which foreign nationals enter the country on visitor visas with the primary purpose of giving birth so their children can obtain US citizenship.

Visa Revocations

A US embassy in West Africa uncovered a network of over 100 foreigners who allegedly used fraudulent documents and visa ‘brokers’ to obtain travel permits. The visas were revoked, and authorities are working with local authorities to identify similar operations.

In Europe, another embassy identified over 400 suspicious cases since 2024, linked to at least six companies that advised applicants on what to say during consular interviews, coordinated housing in the US, and arranged birth plans.

The State Department also reported that another embassy in North Africa revoked over 100 visas from individuals flagged as ‘birth tourists’. Consular officials, working with security agencies and through data analysis, identified several networks and individuals abusing the immigration system.

A US visa is a privilege, not a right, the State Department warned, stating that it will continue to take action to dismantle these operations and hold accountable those who attempt to defraud the system.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.