The State Department announced on June 13 that it has revoked “hundreds” of B-1/B-2 visas connected to organized birth-tourism schemes operating in West and North Africa as well as Europe. Investigators allege the networks coached expectant mothers on how to answer consular questions, arranged U.S. housing near hospitals and marketed U.S. citizenship as an “all-inclusive package.” Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox News the actions are part of a broader effort to stop the commodification of birthright citizenship. Since 2024, consular teams have documented more than 400 suspected cases routed through six European companies and roughly 200 across Africa. Visa revocations automatically trigger Carrier Information Sharing System alerts, meaning airlines must deny boarding to listed passengers or face fines. Corporate travel departments should therefore expect secondary screening for pregnant travelers from high-incidence regions, even on legitimate business trips. The crackdown also signals stricter fraud analysis at U.S. consulates worldwide; companies sponsoring B-1 staff for short-term training should prepare extra documentation to show the employee’s purpose and ties abroad. Immigration lawyers predict a rise in 221(g) administrative processing for female applicants of child-bearing age traveling close to due dates. Birth-tourism facilitators can face alien-smuggling or visa-fraud charges carrying up to 10 years in prison. The State Department said additional arrests are likely as investigations continue.
Source: The American Bazaar
