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By Lawrence Agbo
The United States government has intensified its crackdown on birth tourism, revoking visas and imposing travel bans on hundreds of foreign nationals accused of travelling to America primarily to secure citizenship for their children through childbirth.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the United States Department of State said it was dismantling networks that exploit the U.S. visa system and use fraudulent means to facilitate birth tourism.
The department said the action is part of efforts by the administration of Donald Trump to protect the integrity of American citizenship and prevent misuse of visitor visas.
“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes,” the agency said.
According to the statement, a U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated operation involving more than 100 foreign nationals who allegedly relied on fake documents and visa facilitators to obtain travel permits for the purpose of giving birth in the United States.
The department said the network has been dismantled, the visas of those involved revoked, and investigations launched in collaboration with local authorities to identify and stop similar operations.
Authorities also reported uncovering a separate scheme in Europe, where more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases have been identified since 2024.
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Investigators linked the cases to at least six companies accused of coaching visa applicants, arranging accommodation in the United States and coordinating childbirth plans designed to secure American citizenship for newborns.
Officials said visas connected to the operation were cancelled, while several organisers were permanently barred from entering the United States.
In North Africa, the State Department disclosed that more than 100 visas belonging to parents who travelled to the U.S. primarily to give birth were also revoked.
The agency said consular officers, working alongside law enforcement agencies and using advanced data analysis tools, were able to trace and disrupt networks exploiting the visa system.
Reiterating its position, the department stressed that visitor visas cannot be issued to foreigners whose main objective is to obtain U.S. citizenship for a child through birth.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the statement said, adding that authorities would continue targeting birth tourism operations worldwide and holding those involved accountable.
‘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,” it added.
