Washington: The United States government has launched a stringent crackdown on foreign nationals seeking to give birth on American soil in order to secure US citizenship for their children, intensifying efforts to curb the practice widely known as “birth tourism.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that more than 600 visas belonging to foreign nationals have been revoked within a single month as part of this initiative.
Task Force Formed to Dismantle Illegal Networks
To conduct a comprehensive review of birth tourism activity and identify the illicit networks operating behind it, the US State Department has established a dedicated Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force. The unit is closely monitoring the activities of visa holders to determine whether US immigration laws are being misused.
Rubio stated unequivocally that American citizenship “is not for sale.” He alleged that organised networks are coaching foreign nationals on how to circumvent the US visa system, while also arranging their travel to the United States and accommodation once they arrive.
Allegations of Document Fraud
According to Rubio, certain networks have been found creating fraudulent documents to help foreign nationals’ children obtain US citizenship. He accused these operations of deliberately exploiting both the visa system and US law for this purpose.
Government Vows Continued Action
Rubio confirmed that the more than 600 visa cancellations came within the task force’s very first month of operation, adding that such enforcement measures will continue in order to protect the country from the misuse of its laws.
He reiterated that the administration would use every available means to fully dismantle birth tourism networks and safeguard the integrity of the US citizenship system.