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US sets up task force to end birth tourism, revokes over 600 visas worldwide
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

US sets up task force to end birth tourism, revokes over 600 visas worldwide

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The U.S. has established a task force to combat "birth tourism," where foreign nationals travel to the U.S. to give birth and obtain citizenship for their children.
  • The State Department announced the task force and revealed that over 600 visas have already been revoked globally.
  • The move is part of an effort to protect the integrity of U.S. citizenship and ensure visas are used for lawful purposes, with officials warning of permanent ineligibility for misrepresentation.

The United States government has launched a new inter-agency task force aimed at dismantling "birth tourism," a practice where foreign nationals travel to the U.S. with the primary intention of giving birth and securing American citizenship for their children. The Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force, announced by the State Department, has already taken action by revoking more than 600 visas worldwide.

Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, the Department of State is using all available tools to defend the integrity of US citizenship.

— Department of StateStatement regarding the new task force to combat birth tourism.

This initiative follows President Trump's recent executive orders directing federal agencies to deny visas, revoke travel authorizations, and deport individuals entering the country for the purpose of childbirth. A statement from the Office of the Spokesperson emphasized that the effort is crucial for defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship and ensuring that non-immigrant visas are utilized strictly for their intended legal purposes.

The task force will operate internationally, reviewing the travel and visa histories of applicants to identify and revoke visas of those involved in birth tourism. It will also focus on dismantling networks that facilitate this practice. The Department of State warned that individuals who intentionally misrepresent their travel intentions could face permanent ineligibility for U.S. visas or entry.

Citizenship is not a commodity to be acquired through the calculated exploitation of US immigration laws.

— Department of StateStatement regarding the new task force to combat birth tourism.

"Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, the Department of State is using all available tools to defend the integrity of US citizenship," a statement read. "Citizenship is not a commodity to be acquired through the calculated exploitation of US immigration laws. The Department of State is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, to combat birth tourism and protect the integrity of the US immigration system."

The Department of State is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, to combat birth tourism and protect the integrity of the US immigration system.

— Department of StateStatement regarding the new task force to combat birth tourism.

Consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates globally, including in Nigeria, have been instructed to increase scrutiny on visa applications that show potential red flags for birth tourism. The State Department highlighted that birth tourism has become a profitable industry, with organized networks marketing services that include visa assistance, accommodation, and hospital arrangements for prospective parents seeking U.S. citizenship for their newborns.

Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, the Department of State is using all available tools to defend the integrity of US citizenship. Citizenship is not a commodity to be acquired through the calculated exploitation of US immigration laws. The Department of State is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, to combat birth tourism and protect the integrity of the US immigration system.

— Department of StateStatement regarding the new task force to combat birth tourism.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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