The US State Department has launched an effort to combat what is known as ‘birth tourism’, a practice in which foreign nationals seek to enter the country on visitor visas with the primary purpose of giving birth so their children can obtain US citizenship. The department announced that it has started revoking visas of people who entered the country on tourist visas to give birth.

Cracking Down on Fraudulent Activities

A US embassy in West Africa uncovered a network of more than 100 foreigners who allegedly used fraudulent documents and visa ‘brokers’ to obtain travel permits. Authorities indicated that the visas were revoked and that they are working with local authorities to identify similar operations. In Europe, another embassy identified more than 400 suspicious cases since 2024, which were 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 agency also reported that another embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas from individuals flagged as ‘birth tourists’. Consular officials, working in coordination with security agencies and through data analysis and cross-referencing, identified several networks and individuals abusing the immigration system. 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 US to obtain citizenship for a child. Consular authorities can deny or revoke visas if they determine there was fraud, misrepresentation of information, or misuse of the process.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.