The Traffic

Crackdown on Birth Tourism: U.S. Warns Nigerians Against Visa Misuse for Childbirth Citizenship

In a renewed push to uphold the integrity of its immigration laws, the United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a strong public warning against the rising trend of birth tourism—a practice where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, travel to the U.S. primarily to give birth so their children automatically acquire U.S. citizenship.

In a post shared via its official handle @USinNigeria on X (formerly Twitter), the mission explicitly stated that such intentions violate U.S. visa policy. The post, marked with the hashtags #VisaWiseTravelSmart and #USVisa, cautioned prospective travelers:

“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. Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”

Accompanying the warning was a stark graphic carrying the message:
“We will deny your visa if we believe your primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to get U.S. citizenship for your child. This is not permitted.”

This announcement appears to be part of a broader awareness campaign by the U.S. to curb visa fraud, prevent abuse of its birthright citizenship laws, and discourage attempts to circumvent the legal immigration process.

Though the practice of birth tourism has existed for years, it remains a controversial and closely scrutinized aspect of U.S. immigration policy. American authorities argue that such practices erode the credibility of the visa system and place undue strain on public health and administrative resources.

The United States grants citizenship by birth to almost all individuals born on its soil, regardless of the parents’ nationality or immigration status—a principle enshrined in the 14th Amendment. However, this policy has increasingly come under debate, especially when it appears to be strategically exploited by foreign nationals.

The U.S. Mission’s stern reminder comes amid a larger global effort by American consulates to reinforce immigration laws and prevent entry under false pretenses. For Nigerians hoping to visit the U.S., the message is clear: transparency of purpose and compliance with visa regulations are non-negotiable.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna