The United States government has revoked more than 6,000 visas belonging to foreigners accused of engaging in or facilitating birth tourism as part of its ongoing immigration crackdown.
The US Department of State announced the development on Thursday through its official X account, saying its Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force had withdrawn the visas of individuals identified as being involved in the practice.
“The Department of State’s Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force has now revoked more than 6,000 visas from foreigners who engaged in or facilitated birth tourism,” the department said.
It added that the task force was still identifying those involved and working to hold them accountable, suggesting that more visa revocations could follow.
Birth tourism involves travelling to another country, usually while pregnant, to give birth so that the child can acquire citizenship or nationality by birth in that country.
The latest action indicates that the crackdown covers not only foreign nationals who travel for the purpose but also individuals and organisations that help arrange such trips.
Last month, the US Department of State announced that it had revoked more than 4,000 visas over birth tourism, including 700 belonging to Chinese nationals.
However, the latest announcement did not provide a breakdown by nationality, leaving it unclear whether Nigerians were among those affected.
The crackdown is part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which has featured prominently in his political campaigns and administration under the “America First” policy.
During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to increase deportations, restrict asylum and refugee admissions, and tighten both illegal and some legal immigration pathways.
Since returning to office, he has introduced several measures in line with the agenda. On his inauguration day, he signed an executive order declaring illegal immigration a national emergency and directing the expedited deportation of undocumented migrants.
The activities of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in enforcing the administration’s immigration policies have also attracted criticism over alleged human rights violations.
The Trump administration has imposed visa restrictions on several countries, including Nigeria.
It is also planning a policy that would require foreign nationals in the US seeking to change their immigration status from temporary visa holders to permanent residents to return to their home countries to apply for Green Cards.
