US intensifies fight against ‘birth tourism’ and revokes 600 visas

The US State Department has revoked more than 600 visas as part of a stepped-up crackdown on so-called “birth tourism.” This concerns people whom American authorities suspect of taking part in schemes to travel to the United States with the primary purpose of giving birth and obtaining US citizenship for the child.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this on August 12. According to him, visas were revoked after the State Department created a special group that identifies such cases and organized networks.

The new group checks the activities of US visa holders, identifies intermediaries and companies that may help arrange such trips, and passes on information for decisions on revoking already issued documents.

What the US considers “birth tourism”

The State Department defines “birth tourism” as travel whose main purpose is the birth of a child on US soil to obtain American citizenship for the child. American rules do not allow using a tourist visa specifically for this purpose.

This restriction has been in effect since January 2020. A consular officer may refuse to issue a B visitor visa if there are grounds to believe that the applicant’s main purpose of travel is giving birth in the US for the child’s citizenship.

At the same time, travel to the United States for medical treatment is not prohibited. Medical treatment is among the permitted purposes for a B-2 visa, but the applicant must prove the true purpose of the trip and meet the established visa requirements.

State Department steps up checks

American authorities are also investigating the activities of companies and intermediaries that help clients arrange “birth tourism.” The State Department has previously reported identifying such networks in Europe, West and North Africa. In some cases, according to the agency, applicants were advised on how to answer questions during visa interviews, and their accommodation and childbirth in the US were arranged for them.

Visas revocation means that the holder can no longer use this document to travel to the United States. Each visa case is considered individually by American authorities.

The State Department said that checks and identification of networks arranging such trips will continue.

Based on materials from: US State Department