US Embassies issue global warning against ‘birth tourism’

The United States has issued a global warning through its embassies against the practice of “birth tourism,” stressing that using a U.S. visa primarily to give birth in the United States—so the child can obtain U.S. citizenship—is not permitted under immigration law.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy said consular officers will deny a visa application if they have reason to believe the main purpose of the applicant’s travel is to give birth in the U.S.

“Using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States, so that your child will have U.S. citizenship, is NOT permitted. Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.

“Furthermore, if you already have a visa and travel to the United States for the primary purpose of giving birth, and you use Medicaid or other U.S Government assistance to pay for your medical care, you may not be eligible to renew your visa in the future,” the Embassy said.

The U.S. State Department has repeatedly cautioned against women using visitor visas with the sole purpose of delivering their babies in the U.S. so that the children can be granted automatic citizenship. The government has been stepping up efforts to clamp down on the practice, and there have been reported cases of pregnant women being denied entry when questioned by immigration officers about their reasons for travel.