U.S. Uncovers Major Birth Tourism Network in Africa, Revokes Over 100 Visas

The United States government has announced a major crackdown on illegal birth tourism schemes, revealing that hundreds of visas have been revoked as authorities move to prevent foreigners from entering the country primarily to secure U.S. citizenship for their children.

The announcement was made in a statement published on the official X account of the U.S. Department of State, which said the initiative is part of efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump to protect the integrity of American citizenship and immigration laws.

According to the State Department, individuals seeking visitor visas for the sole purpose of giving birth in the United States in order to obtain citizenship for their children will no longer be permitted to do so.

“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes,” the statement said. “No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the U.S.”

The department disclosed that a U.S. embassy in West Africa recently uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network involving more than 100 foreign nationals. Investigators found that the individuals allegedly used fraudulent documents and worked with visa “fixers” to obtain travel documents under false pretenses.

Authorities said the operation was dismantled, the visas of those involved were revoked, and efforts are ongoing in collaboration with local authorities to identify and shut down similar networks.

The State Department also revealed that a U.S. embassy in Europe identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024. Investigators reportedly linked the cases to at least six companies that coached visa applicants on how to answer interview questions, arranged accommodation in the United States, and organized childbirth plans.

Officials said the companies were shut down, the visas of participants were revoked, and several individuals involved in the scheme were permanently barred from entering the United States.

In a separate case, a U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to parents who had traveled to the United States primarily to give birth so their children could obtain American citizenship.

According to the department, consular officers worked alongside law enforcement agencies and utilized data analytics to identify and dismantle multiple networks exploiting the visa system.

The U.S. government emphasized that a visa is “a privilege, not a right,” and vowed to continue targeting birth tourism operations worldwide.

“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 statement added.

The latest measures signal a renewed effort by U.S. authorities to tighten immigration enforcement and prevent what officials describe as the misuse of visitor visas for citizenship-related purposes.