State Department Disrupts Multiple Overseas Birth Tourism Networks
The U.S. State Department has identified and taken action against several birth tourism networks operating in West Africa, Europe, and North Africa, according to a report published Wednesday.
Embassies in those regions uncovered schemes that allegedly involved creating false records to enable foreign nationals to enter the United States primarily to give birth on American soil, thereby securing U.S. citizenship for their children under the 14th Amendment. The Daily Wire was the first to report on the networks.
In West Africa, officials shut down one such operation, revoked the involved visas, and are working with local authorities to identify and dismantle similar activities. In Europe, one embassy identified more than 400 suspected cases dating back to 2024, linked to at least six companies that provided coaching on visa interviews, accommodations, and U.S. childbirth arrangements. Authorities disrupted the network, revoked visas, and issued permanent travel bans on several participants.
In North Africa, more than 100 visas were revoked for individuals accused of similar travel for birth tourism purposes. Consular officers partnered with law enforcement and used data analysis to detect the networks.
State Department messaging emphasized that a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right, and that visitor visas may not be used primarily to obtain citizenship for a child through birth in the United States. Officials said they are acting globally to stop abuses and hold accountable those exploiting the system.
The actions come amid ongoing legal challenges to an executive order signed by President Trump in January 2025 aimed at ending birthright citizenship. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the order in late June or early July.
