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The United States has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals who engage in or facilitate commercial “birth tourism” aimed at obtaining US citizenship for children born on American soil.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that foreign commercial birth-tourism networks have exploited the US immigration system by charging clients large sums to arrange births in the United States.
“These networks advertise and coach foreign nationals to lie on US visa applications and collect tens of thousands of dollars to arrange births on American soil for the sole purpose of obtaining US citizenship,” Rubio said in a statement.
Under the new policy, introduced pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, visa restrictions may be imposed on individuals who knowingly engage in, facilitate or profit from commercial birth tourism.
The policy covers owners, operators and managers of birth-tourism networks, visa “fixers” who coach applicants to commit fraud, and foreign medical providers who knowingly facilitate such travel or fraudulent use of the US Medicaid system.
Other individuals who support or enable commercial birth-tourism operations may also be subject to the restrictions.
“The Trump Administration is using every tool at our disposal to defend the integrity of US citizenship, protect American public benefits and US taxpayers from exploitation, and safeguard our national security,” Rubio said.
He added that restricting visas for individuals who participate in or profit from such activities sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate the exploitation of its immigration system.
According to the US Department of State, certain family members of individuals covered by the policy may also be subject to the visa restrictions.