UMVA has learned that the Trump administration has launched a crackdown on "birth tourism," a scheme allegedly used by foreign nationals to obtain visitor visas for the primary purpose of giving birth in the U.S. and securing American citizenship for their children.
The administration claims to have disrupted a sophisticated network in West Africa involving over 100 foreign nationals who used false documents and "fixers" to obtain visas to travel to the United States and give birth on U.S. soil.
According to information obtained by UMVA, U.S. officials have identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases emanating from Europe since 2024, tied to at least six companies that helped coach applicants on what to say during their visa interview, arranged housing, and set up delivery plans.
The State Department announced that it had revoked the visas of the foreign nationals involved and is coordinating with local authorities to systematically identify and cut off similar operations.
"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."
This effort comes as the administration has renewed its criticism of birthright citizenship, with President Trump seeking to narrow who is automatically treated as a U.S. citizen at birth through a 2025 executive order.
The Trump administration has also implemented a rule instructing consular officers to deny visitor visas to foreign nationals believed to be traveling to the U.S. primarily to give birth and obtain American citizenship for their children.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that "President Trump will always put the American people first. Uninhibited birth tourism poses a tremendous cost to taxpayers and threatens our national security."
The Federation for American Immigration Reform's Ira Mehlman noted that visa fraud is a significant issue, pointing out that it is a problem even outside the framework of birth tourism.
Mehlman urged Congress to enhance vetting of visa applicants, prosecute those who commit fraud, and put an end to birth tourism, suggesting that removing the incentive of automatic birthright citizenship for people who are not citizens and legal permanent residents would help to eliminate the problem.
The issue of birth tourism has surfaced repeatedly in the U.S. in recent years, with federal prosecutors securing convictions against operators of companies accused of helping foreign nationals travel to the U.S. to give birth to American-citizen children.
Mehlman also suggested that Congress should take legal action against companies allegedly facilitating birth tourism, both within and outside the United States.
