Illegal birth tourism networks face a major US crackdown as authorities revoke visas and dismantle schemes linked to citizenship abuse

The United States Department of State has announced a global crackdown on what it described as illegal birth tourism schemes, saying it has revoked hundreds of visas and dismantled networks accused of helping foreign nationals travel to the United States primarily to secure citizenship for their children.

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The department disclosed the development in a statement published on its official X account on Wednesday, stressing that the initiative is aimed at protecting the integrity of American citizenship and preventing abuse of the country’s visa system.

According to the State Department, foreign nationals are not permitted to obtain visitor visas for the principal purpose of giving birth in the United States to secure citizenship for their children.

“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes,” the statement said.

The department revealed that a U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered what it described as a sophisticated network involving more than 100 foreign nationals allegedly using fraudulent documents and visa facilitators to obtain entry visas for childbirth-related travel.

Authorities said the operation was dismantled and the visas of those involved were revoked.

“We shut it down, revoked these foreign nationals’ visas, and are coordinating with local authorities to systematically identify and cut off any similar operations,” the department stated.

The State Department also disclosed that a U.S. embassy in Europe had identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024.

Investigations reportedly linked the cases to at least six companies accused of coaching visa applicants on interview responses, arranging accommodation in the United States and coordinating childbirth plans.

According to the department, the companies involved have been targeted as part of enforcement efforts, while several individuals have been permanently barred from entering the United States.

“We shut it down, revoked their visas, and permanently banned several fraudsters from travelling to the United States ever again,” the statement added.

In North Africa, U.S. authorities said more than 100 visas belonging to parents classified as birth tourists were revoked after investigations determined that they had travelled primarily to give birth in the United States.

The department said consular officers worked alongside law enforcement agencies and used advanced data analytics to identify networks allegedly exploiting the immigration system.

Officials emphasised that possession of a U.S. visa does not guarantee entry and that visas remain a privilege subject to compliance with immigration laws.

“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. 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,” the department said.

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The latest measures form part of broader immigration enforcement efforts by the administration, which has pledged stricter oversight of visa programmes and tougher action against immigration fraud.