The United States has launched a new interagency task force to address birth tourism, and the government revoked more than 600 visas in its first round of action.
The Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force was announced by the U.S. State Department under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of efforts to prevent foreigners from traveling to the country primarily to give birth and obtain U.S. citizenship for their children.
The move followed two executive orders signed by Trump that ordered federal agencies to deny visas, revoke travel authorizations and deport foreign nationals who enter the United States for the purpose of giving birth.
The State Department said the initiative was intended to protect the integrity of American citizenship and ensure that nonimmigrant visas were used for their intended purposes.
The task force will operate globally and review visas and travel histories to identify cases of suspected birth tourism. It will also revoke visas when people are found to have misrepresented the purpose of their trip and will target networks accused of facilitating the practice.
The department warned that foreigners who deliberately misrepresent the purpose of their travel or entry to the US could become permanently ineligible for a US visa or admission to the country.
“Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rubio, the State Department is using every tool available to defend the integrity of the American citizenry.
“Citizenship is not an asset that can be acquired through the calculated exploitation of American immigration laws.
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“The Department of State is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, to combat birth tourism and protect the integrity of the U.S. immigration system,” the department said.
Officials explained that visas can be revoked when there are indications that the holder is no longer eligible, adding that the Secretary of State has broad authority to take such action.
The department said the task force was examining travel records around the world to identify people and networks involved in birth tourism.
“Through the coordination of the Task Force, the State Department is addressing birth tourism on a global scale, examining the travel histories of people around the world to end this exploitation and abuse,” the fact sheet states.
Consular officers at US embassies and consulates, including those in Abuja and Lagos, have also been ordered to pay more attention to visa applications that contain signs that the applicant intends to travel to the United States to give birth.
The State Department described birth tourism as a commercial industry involving organized networks that market birth-related services to expectant parents.
He said some facilitators operate under labels such as doulas, midwives and wellness advocates, while advertising packages that include visa assistance, accommodation and hospital arrangements.
The department also alleged that some operators provide false medical documents or advise clients on how to hide their true travel intentions and avoid hospital bills.
He said online ads promote packages promising “automatic citizenship and a borderless future.”
“The facts are clear: birth tourism is a widespread practice involving citizens of countries spanning all regions of the world.
“The Department is taking steps to dismantle these networks and hold all participants accountable,” the statement added.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs cited several cases that it said showed how applicants had allegedly concealed the true purpose of traveling to the United States.
In one case, a couple allegedly used a conference and vacation as an excuse to travel to the United States, where they gave birth to two children. When they later applied for visas again, they allegedly hid their previous travel history and the fact that they already had a child born in the United States. Their visas were subsequently revoked.
In another case, a foreign government official requested a week-long official trip but remained in the United States for three months and gave birth before leaving the country. His visa was also revoked.
A third traveler reportedly applied for a visa to visit Orlando, Florida, but traveled to Los Angeles and gave birth five days after arriving in the United States. His visa was also revoked.
The State Department said the working group would continue to analyze data from the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to identify patterns and networks linked to birth tourism.
He added that the task force would work with U.S. embassies and consulates to train consular officials to identify potential misrepresentations during visa interviews.
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