By Gloria Nosa
The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a strong warning to foreign nationals, particularly expectant mothers, against traveling to the U.S. with the sole intention of giving birth in order to secure American citizenship for their children. In a statement released this week, the embassy clarified that such actions—commonly known as “birth tourism”—constitute a violation of U.S. immigration law and may result in visa denial, entry refusal, or deportation.
According to the U.S. Mission, while childbirth itself is not illegal, entering the United States under false pretenses—such as hiding one’s true reason for travel from immigration officers—is considered fraud. “Applicants who conceal their intent to give birth in the U.S. when applying for a visa or at the port of entry may be found inadmissible and permanently barred from future travel,” the embassy warned.
The clarification comes amid a growing trend among foreign nationals who exploit the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which grants citizenship to any individual born on American soil, regardless of the parents’ nationality. Although the law remains in effect, U.S. authorities have increasingly cracked down on what they view as the misuse of the system.
The embassy stressed that nonimmigrant visas—especially B-1/B-2 visitor visas—are not intended for individuals seeking to enter the country for the purpose of childbirth and subsequent benefits. “Using a tourist visa to give birth in the United States with the aim of acquiring automatic citizenship for the child, without declaring that intent, is considered a misrepresentation and can lead to serious immigration consequences,” the statement said.
The U.S. Mission also noted that such practices place a burden on the American healthcare system and are frequently tied to organized schemes that charge women large sums of money for travel arrangements, hospital stays, and legal loopholes. In recent years, federal authorities in the U.S. have conducted multiple raids on businesses involved in these operations, some of which have led to arrests and criminal charges.
Legal experts affirm that while the U.S. still recognizes birthright citizenship, the method by which it is pursued matters significantly. “What’s at issue here is intent and honesty,” said immigration attorney Lisa Raymond. “If someone travels on a visitor visa and falsely claims they are entering for tourism when their actual purpose is to deliver a baby, that’s immigration fraud.”
The embassy’s message was clear: applicants must always disclose the true purpose of their travel when applying for a visa or speaking with immigration officials. Failure to do so could permanently jeopardize their ability to visit or reside in the United States.
In conclusion, the U.S. Mission advised anyone considering travel to America to adhere strictly to immigration laws and procedures. “We welcome genuine visitors and immigrants, but we will not tolerate abuse of our system,” the statement concluded.
As U.S. authorities increase their vigilance on entry fraud and visa misuse, prospective travelers are urged to seek legal counsel and provide full transparency to avoid serious legal and immigration consequences.
