The State Department has identified and disrupted multiple birth tourism networks operating in West Africa, Europe, and North Africa, revoking visas and imposing travel bans on individuals involved in schemes to facilitate births on U.S. soil.
The networks allegedly coached visa applicants, arranged accommodations, and coordinated childbirth plans to help foreign nationals obtain U.S. citizenship for their children through birthright citizenship. The Daily Wire first reported the discovery of the operations on Wednesday.
Scope of the Operations
A U.S. embassy in Europe identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases dating back to 2024. Investigators linked the activity to at least six companies that were coaching visa applicants on how to answer interview questions and arranging logistics for childbirth in the United States.
A U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to individuals accused of traveling to the United States for the primary purpose of giving birth. State Department consular officers partnered with law enforcement agencies and used data analysis tools to identify the networks.