The United States government has reiterated that using a tourist visa with the primary intention of giving birth in the country is not permitted, warning that such actions may result in visa denial and long-term immigration consequences.
This cautionary message was delivered via an official statement posted on the X (formerly Twitter) page of the country’s Mission in Nigeria on Monday. It forms part of a broader effort by the government to clamp down on what is commonly referred to as birth tourism, a practice in which foreign nationals travel to the US on temporary visas with the main goal of giving birth, thereby securing American citizenship for their child.
“Using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so that your child will have U.S. citizenship is not permitted,” the statement read. “Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”
US govt seeks transparency
The government stressed that all visa applicants must be transparent about their travel intentions, adding that misrepresentation could result in serious immigration consequences, including future ineligibility for visas.
This latest reminder follows the enforcement of a 2020 rule that restricts birth tourism. The regulation, first introduced during the Trump administration, bars foreign pregnant women, including Nigerians, from obtaining the country’s visas if the sole purpose of travel is to give birth for citizenship benefits.
In January 2025, American authorities reaffirmed their commitment to closing immigration loopholes and tightening visa scrutiny, particularly around the exploitation of the birthright citizenship clause under the 14th Amendment.
President Donald Trump, in a recent statement, questioned the legitimacy of granting citizenship to babies born to undocumented immigrants, suggesting the practice undermines the integrity of the American immigration system.
Although the country’s immigration law currently grants automatic citizenship to any child born on American soil, regardless of the parents’ immigration status, the government maintains that this should not be the driving reason for issuing a tourist visa.
In addition to warnings about birth tourism, authorities of the country have also cautioned travellers against overstaying their visas, stating that offenders risk a permanent ban from the country and could face criminal prosecution.
These moves signal a more aggressive stance by country’s immigration officials in monitoring visa applications, especially in regions like West Africa, where rates of visa misuse and overstaying have raised ongoing concerns.
As visa regulations continue to tighten, applicants are urged to remain honest and transparent to avoid severe penalties and long-term immigration repercussions.
