US expands visa restrictions targeting 'birth tourism' networks

The United States has expanded its visa restrictions to cover individuals and networks involved in or facilitating 'birth tourism,' in a policy specifically targeting commercial entities, intermediaries, and service providers who assist foreigners in traveling to the US to give birth so their children can obtain American citizenship.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the new policy is based on the Immigration and Nationality Act and applies to those knowingly participating in or having previously engaged in 'birth tourism' to the United States, as well as those who facilitate such activities.

The measures target owners, operators, and managers of commercial networks organizing 'birth tourism' trips, visa brokers who instruct applicants to provide fraudulent information, and foreign medical service providers who knowingly promote or facilitate these trips. The policy also extends to individuals accused by Washington of helping to fraudulently benefit from the Medicaid health program, and others who support, promote, or facilitate commercial activities related to 'birth tourism.'

According to Rubio, foreign networks have, in the US administration's view, turned citizenship acquisition into a profit-driven activity by directing foreign nationals to submit misleading information on visa applications in exchange for payments that can reach tens of thousands of dollars.

'Birth tourism' is defined as traveling to the United States primarily to give birth so that the child acquires American citizenship. The US Department of State affirms that this purpose is not a valid basis for obtaining a visitor visa.

The new policy does not mark the beginning of US restrictions on this practice. In January 2020, the State Department amended B-category visitor visa rules, allowing consular officers to deny applications if they have reason to believe the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the US to secure citizenship for the child.

The announced policy shifts the focus from visa applicants seeking to engage in 'birth tourism' to the individuals and networks organizing or profiting from these trips. Rubio emphasized that President Donald Trump's administration will use all available tools, as he put it, to protect the immigration system, public resources, and American taxpayers, and to prevent the exploitation of the visa system for 'birth tourism' purposes.