US revokes over 6,000 visas over birth tourism

The United States has revoked more than 6,000 visas belonging to foreign nationals accused of engaging in or facilitating birth tourism, the Department of State has announced.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the department said its Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force had revoked the visas as part of efforts to crack down on the practice.

The task force is targeting both foreign nationals who travel to the US primarily to give birth and individuals or networks accused of facilitating such trips.

“We are identifying and holding accountable everyone involved in this illicit practice,” the department said.

The latest figure marks an increase from the more than 4,000 visa revocations announced by the department on October 31.

However, it did not disclose the nationalities of those affected or provide a breakdown of how many were directly involved in birth tourism and how many facilitated it.

Birth tourism refers to the practice of travelling to another country, particularly the United States, primarily to give birth so that a child can acquire citizenship by birth.

The practice has faced increased scrutiny under President Donald Trump's administration, which has described it as an abuse of the country's immigration and visa systems.

The State Department established the Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force on August 12 to investigate visa holders, identify those involved and dismantle networks allegedly arranging such trips. At the time, the task force had already revoked more than 600 visas globally.

The department said the task force would analyse information from multiple government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to identify suspicious travel patterns and cases involving misrepresentation of travel intentions.

The crackdown is also supported by US visa rules introduced in January 2020. Under the regulations, visitor visas may be denied to applicants whose primary purpose for travelling to the country is to give birth to obtain US citizenship for their children.

Consular officers can refuse B-1 or B-2 visitor visa applications if they have reason to believe that the applicant intends to travel primarily for that purpose.

The rules do not automatically bar pregnant women from visiting the United States. Applicants may still qualify for visitor visas if they establish a legitimate travel purpose other than securing citizenship for a child through birth.

In August 2026, the Trump administration further intensified its campaign through an executive order directing government agencies to take measures against individuals and organisations involved in facilitating birth tourism.

The State Department has warned that foreigners who deliberately misrepresent their travel intentions could become permanently ineligible for US visas or entry into the country.

The latest announcement did not say whether those whose visas were revoked had been deported or faced criminal prosecution.

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