The United States government has issued a strong warning to prospective visa applicants, stating that traveling to the U.S. on a tourist visa primarily to give birth and secure American citizenship for the child is a violation of immigration policy and could lead to visa denial.
This caution was announced via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday, July 22. The statement emphasized that consular officers are under strict instructions to deny visa applications where there is credible evidence suggesting that the applicant’s main reason for travel is to give birth in the U.S.
“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,” the Mission stated. “Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”
This is part of a broader U.S. crackdown on birth tourism—a practice where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, enter the United States to give birth so their child can obtain citizenship by birthright under the 14th Amendment.
A Pattern of Stricter Immigration Oversight
According to the U.S. Department of State, the country introduced tighter visa screening guidelines in February 2020 to curb birth tourism. These policies target pregnant women whose primary intent for visiting the U.S. is to deliver a child. The rule allows officers to deny B-1/B-2 tourist visas if there is a strong suspicion that the trip is for birth-related purposes.
This follows the Trump-era immigration stance, where former President Donald Trump openly expressed his opposition to granting automatic citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants. In 2025, Trump reiterated his position, arguing that birthright citizenship has become an abused privilege that incentivizes illegal immigration.
As Nairametrics reported in a related story earlier this year, U.S. authorities have also warned against visa overstays and have threatened lifetime entry bans and possible criminal prosecution for violators.
Immigration Misrepresentation Has Long-Term Consequences
The U.S. Mission highlighted that travelers must accurately disclose their travel purpose, cautioning that any attempt to mislead immigration officials could lead to severe penalties, including future inadmissibility.
“Misrepresentation of travel intent could lead to long-term immigration consequences,” the statement added, urging transparency during visa interviews.
This stance is not new but represents a renewed focus on enforcing immigration regulations, particularly among nationals from countries with higher rates of visa misuse.
Nigeria Among Countries Under Heightened Scrutiny
Nigeria remains one of the countries with significant cases of visa overstays and birth tourism, according to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. While the U.S. maintains strong diplomatic ties with Nigeria, it has in recent years increased visa scrutiny due to a noticeable rise in irregular migration patterns.
In 2019, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) estimated that nearly 33,000 birth tourists entered the U.S. annually, many from countries like Nigeria, China, and Russia.
What This Means Going Forward
With the ongoing global debate on immigration reform and national security, U.S. immigration officials are doubling down on transparency and intent verification during visa applications.
Prospective travelers are strongly advised to understand visa conditions and avoid any activities that might be construed as a violation of U.S. immigration laws.
For those genuinely traveling for tourism, family visits, or business, full disclosure and documentation of travel plans remain crucial.
