The Trump administration has announced a renewed crackdown on so-called “birth tourism”, saying foreign nationals will not be allowed to obtain visitor visas for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to secure citizenship for their children.
In a statement, the US State Department said the move is aimed at protecting the integrity of American citizenship and preventing abuse of the country’s immigration system.
“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of US citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes.”
The department reiterated that visitor visas are not intended for individuals seeking to travel to the United States mainly to obtain citizenship benefits for a child through birth on American soil.
“No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring US citizenship for a child by giving birth in the US”
The announcement forms part of the administration’s broader immigration enforcement agenda, which has focused on tightening visa rules, strengthening border controls and reducing what officials describe as misuse of immigration pathways.
While US law grants citizenship to most children born on American soil, authorities say using a visitor visa specifically for that purpose violates visa regulations and may result in denial of entry or future immigration consequences.
The State Department did not provide details on new enforcement measures but indicated that consular officers would continue scrutinising visa applications to identify potential cases of birth tourism.
Erizia Rubyjeana
