The U.S. 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 U.S. citizenship.

Visa Revocations

A U.S. 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 United States, and arranged birth plans.

The State Department warned that it will continue taking action to dismantle these operations and hold accountable those who attempt to defraud the system. Visitor visas, such as B-1/B-2 visas, cannot be used when the primary purpose of the trip is to give birth in the United States to obtain citizenship for a child.

Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.