The United States government has stepped up its campaign against birth tourism, announcing the creation of a new task force and the revocation of more than 600 visas worldwide.
The Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force was announced by the US Department of State under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of efforts to prevent foreigners from using temporary visas primarily to travel to the US to give birth.
The move follows two executive orders signed by Trump directing federal agencies to take action against foreign nationals who enter the country for the purpose of giving birth, including visa revocation and deportation measures.
US intensifies visa scrutiny
According to the US Department of State, the new task force will work across agencies to examine applicants’ travel and visa histories, identify suspected birth tourism cases and target networks involved in facilitating the practice.
US embassies and consulates, including those in Abuja and Lagos, have also been instructed to pay closer attention to applications showing possible signs that childbirth is the real reason for travel.
The department warned that foreigners who deliberately misrepresent the purpose of their trip could face permanent ineligibility for a US visa or entry.
“Citizenship is not a commodity to be acquired through the calculated exploitation of US immigration laws.”
US targets birth tourism networks
The State Department described birth tourism as a growing commercial industry involving organised networks that offer services to expectant parents seeking to give birth in the United States.
According to the department, some operators advertise packages that include visa guidance, accommodation, hospital arrangements and other services.
US officials also alleged that some facilitators encourage clients to provide false information, submit forged medical documents or conceal the real purpose of their trip during visa interviews.
The department said the task force will use information from the State Department and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify patterns and networks connected to the practice.
Several visas revoked
The US government cited several cases in which it said travellers misrepresented their reasons for visiting the country.
In one case, a couple reportedly travelled under the guise of attending a conference and taking a vacation before giving birth to two children in the US. Their visas were later revoked after officials said they concealed relevant information during a subsequent application.
Another case involved a foreign government official who reportedly applied for a short official visit but stayed for several months and gave birth while in the US.
In a separate case, a traveller who applied for a vacation in Orlando reportedly travelled instead to Los Angeles and gave birth shortly after arriving.
The State Department said the task force would continue working with US embassies to train consular officers to identify possible misrepresentation and strengthen efforts to prevent birth tourism.
Source: US Department of State.
