U.S. Uncovers West Africa Birth Tourism Network, Revokes Over 100 Visas

The United States Department of State says it has dismantled a sophisticated birth tourism network in West Africa, revoking the visas of more than 100 foreign nationals who allegedly used fraudulent documents and visa “fixers” to obtain U.S. visitor visas for the purpose of securing American citizenship for their children.

In a statement, the Department said the operation formed part of efforts under President Donald Trump’s administration to protect the integrity of U.S. citizenship and crack down on the abuse of the country’s visa system.

“A U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network of more than 100 foreign nationals using fraudulent documents and visa ‘fixers’ to get themselves visas in order to get U.S. citizenship for their children,” the statement said.

According to the Department, the network has been dismantled, the visas of those involved revoked, and U.S. officials are working with local authorities to identify and shut down similar operations.

The State Department reiterated that no foreign national is permitted to obtain a U.S. visitor visa primarily to travel to the country to give birth so that a child can acquire U.S. citizenship.

“No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the U.S.,” it stated.

The Department also disclosed that similar enforcement actions have been carried out in other regions.

It said a U.S. embassy in Europe identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024, tracing them to at least six companies that coached visa applicants on how to answer interview questions, arranged accommodation in the United States, and organised delivery plans.

The Department said the operation led to the revocation of visas and the permanent ban of several organisers from travelling to the United States.

In North Africa, another U.S. embassy revoked more than 100 visas issued to parents who travelled primarily to give birth in the United States after investigators used law enforcement cooperation and data analytics to uncover multiple birth tourism networks.

The State Department stressed that a U.S. visa is “a privilege, not a right” and pledged to continue dismantling birth tourism networks and holding accountable individuals who attempt to abuse the U.S. immigration system.