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The United States Department of State said it has dismantled organized “birth tourism” networks operating across parts of Africa and Europe, revoking hundreds of visas tied to schemes that helped pregnant foreign nationals travel to the United States to give birth.
The enforcement effort, announced in a series of June 10 social media posts by the department, targeted what officials described as coordinated operations aimed at obtaining automatic U.S. citizenship for children born on American soil.
“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 department stated on X.
The State Department said investigators identified more than 600 cases connected to the networks. According to the department, a U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a scheme involving more than 100 foreign nationals who allegedly used fraudulent paperwork and visa “fixers” to secure travel documents.
Officials also said a U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to parents whose primary purpose for traveling to the United States was childbirth.
The largest number of cases came from Europe, where investigators identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism operations since 2024.
The State Department said at least six companies were linked to those efforts, allegedly coaching applicants ahead of consular interviews and arranging housing and delivery services in the United States. Several applicants had visas revoked, while some individuals were permanently barred from entering the country, according to the department.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the networks treated American citizenship “as if it was a commodity” and shifted medical costs onto U.S. taxpayers when travelers failed to fully pay hospital expenses. The department said it is also coordinating with foreign governments to identify related operations abroad.
The crackdown comes as the Supreme Court of the United States considers the legality of an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January 2025 seeking to limit birthright citizenship. Lower courts have blocked the order, and a ruling is expected later this year.