The State Department has dismantled multiple birth tourism networks spanning West Africa, Europe, and North Africa — revoking hundreds of visas and permanently banning fraudsters who coached foreign nationals on exploiting U.S. citizenship laws.
Under new guidance to be on high alert for fraudulent documentation, U.S. embassies uncovered evidence of coordinated schemes to produce fake documents and facilitate individuals traveling to the United States specifically to give birth within American borders.
In West Africa, a U.S. embassy shut down what officials called a “sophisticated birth tourism network” involving more than 100 foreign nationals using fraudulent documents to obtain visas and secure U.S. citizenship for their children.
“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes. 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 State Department revoked the foreign nationals’ visas and is coordinating with local authorities to systematically identify and cut off similar operations.
A U.S. embassy in Europe uncovered more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024. Investigators traced the network to at least six companies coaching applicants on what to say in visa interviews, arranging housing, and setting up delivery plans.
State revoked the visas and permanently banned several fraudsters from ever entering the United States again.
An embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas for parents who came to the United States specifically to give birth to children who would receive U.S. citizenship. State Department consular officers worked with law enforcement and used data analytics to identify the networks abusing the visa system.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the State Department said. “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 crackdown comes as Texas sued the De’Ai Postpartum Care Center in Houston for exploiting birthright citizenship by facilitating the invasion of Chinese nationals for the sole purpose of giving birth. That center is accused of facilitating the births of more than 1,000 American-born babies.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending birthright citizenship after taking office in January 2025, but the order has been repeatedly paused due to legal challenges.
The Supreme Court will hand down a decision on the order in late June or early July. Trump attended the oral arguments in person — the first president in United States history to do so.
“We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!” Trump said the day the Supreme Court heard arguments.
