The United States Department of State says it has dismantled several birth tourism networks operating across parts of West Africa, Europe, and North Africa, leading to the revocation of hundreds of visas as part of a wider effort to curb alleged immigration fraud.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 10, the State Department said the operations form part of an ongoing global crackdown on visa abuse targeting individuals who attempt to secure U.S. citizenship for their children through what authorities describe as organised schemes.
A U.S. embassy in West Africa was reported to have uncovered a network involving more than 100 foreign nationals allegedly using fraudulent documents and “visa fixers” to obtain travel documents for the purpose of giving birth in the United States.
According to the statement, officials “revoked these foreign nationals’ visas and are coordinating with local authorities to identify and shut down any similar operations systematically.”
The Department further noted that similar investigations in Europe uncovered more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024. Authorities said at least six companies were linked to the scheme, allegedly coaching applicants on what to say during visa interviews, arranging accommodation in the United States, and coordinating birth plans.
“We shut it down, revoked their visas, and permanently banned several fraudsters from travelling to the United States ever again,” the statement added.
In North Africa, a separate embassy reportedly revoked over 100 visas tied to individuals suspected of travelling primarily to give birth so their children would automatically acquire U.S. citizenship.
Consular officers, working alongside law enforcement and data analysts, were said to have identified coordinated networks exploiting the visa system.
Reinforcing its position, the State Department stated: “A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.” It added that authorities are taking global action “to stop this abuse, dismantle birth tourism networks, and hold accountable those who try to scam our system.”
The statement also highlights that under the current administration, the U.S. is focused on defending the integrity of its immigration system and preventing the misuse of visitor visas for purposes unrelated to tourism.
