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The Department of State of the United States announced on Wednesday a global offensive against what is termed "birth tourism," with operations to dismantle networks in three regions of the world and hundreds of visas revoked from foreigners who traveled to the country for the purpose of having their children born on U.S. soil, thereby obtaining citizenship.
In an official statement published on X, the institution was categorical: "No foreigner can obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child born in the United States."
The specific actions described in the statement cover three simultaneous fronts.
In West Africa, a U.S. embassy dismantled a network of over 100 foreign citizens who were using fraudulent documents and visa facilitators to obtain entry permits.
Authorities have revoked the visas of those involved and are coordinating actions with local officials to identify similar operations.
In Europe, another embassy identified more than 400 suspicious cases since 2024 and tracked at least six companies that advised applicants on what to say during consular interviews, arranged accommodation in the United States, and coordinated birth plans.
The authorities shut down those operations, revoked the visas, and permanently banned several of those responsible for the fraud from entering the country.
In North Africa, an embassy revoked over 100 visas for parents who primarily traveled to the United States to give birth. Consular officials, working alongside security agencies and data analysis teams, identified several networks and put an end to their activities.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” stated the Department of State. “We are taking action worldwide to stop these abuses, dismantle birth tourism networks, and hold accountable those who attempt to deceive our system.”
These measures are part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration.
In April 2025, the Embassy in Mexico already warned that using a B1/B2 visa to give birth constitutes an immigration violation.
On April 9, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) formally launched a specific initiative against birth tourism, aimed at dismantling facilitation networks.
The legal backdrop of this offensive is even deeper. On January 20, 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14160 to eliminate automatic citizenship for children of individuals without legal or temporary status in the country, although multiple federal courts blocked it, deeming it unconstitutional.
On April 1st, Trump personally attended —a historic event for a sitting president— the hearing before the Supreme Court where the constitutionality of that order was discussed.
The ruling of the highest court, anticipated for this summer, could redefine the interpretation of the 14th Amendment and affect over 250,000 babies born annually in the United States to foreign parents.
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