U.S. Takes Action Against Birth Tourism with Visa Restrictions and New Fraud Reporting Portal

Washington, September 24 (Daily Kiran) : The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals involved in birth tourism and the networks that promote it. Additionally, a new online portal has been launched to report visa fraud, including cases of fake job offers and fraudulent marriages.

Birth tourism involves foreign pregnant women traveling to another country to give birth, primarily to secure citizenship for their child in that country. This practice is termed “commercial” due to the extensive networks of visa facilitators, medical providers, and travel agents that assist these women, offering services for a fee.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these restrictions will apply to individuals and commercial networks that facilitate travel to the U.S. for the purpose of obtaining citizenship through childbirth. Family members of those involved may also fall under these restrictions.

Rubio emphasized that these commercial birth tourism networks exploit the U.S. immigration system for profit, effectively selling American citizenship. He accused these networks of training foreign nationals to lie on visa applications and charging thousands of dollars to arrange for births on U.S. soil.

This policy is being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It targets owners, operators, and managers of commercial birth tourism networks, as well as intermediaries who coach applicants on committing visa fraud.

Rubio clarified that the new rules will apply to those who knowingly participate in or facilitate birth tourism. However, he did not provide specific details about individual cases.

The State Department noted that some family members could also be subject to these restrictions, although it did not specify which relatives or under what circumstances.

Rubio framed this initiative as a measure to protect citizenship rights, public benefits, taxpayers, and national security.

In a separate announcement, the State Department introduced an online portal for the public to report suspected visa fraud and abuse. The department is particularly interested in fraudulent documents, travel plans, brokers arranging fake marriages, phony companies, and fabricated job offers, including participation in or facilitation of birth tourism.

The announcement stated that the Bureau of Consular Affairs is actively working to detect and prevent attempts to enter the U.S. through fraud or for illegal purposes.

Potential actions may include visa cancellations and referrals for further law enforcement investigations. The department highlighted that many of the thousands identified for visa fraud during President Donald Trump’s second term were reported through public tips. However, no details were provided about specific cases or actions taken.

The department remarked, “This new online tool provides a convenient and reliable way for the public to submit important information for immediate review and action.”