The State Department has created a special unit to combat birth tourism.

On August 12, the US State Department announced the creation of a special task force to combat birth tourism. the official website The department explains what the new unit will do.

The State Department uses all available means to protect the status of American citizenship, ensure that nonimmigrant visas are used only for their intended and lawful purposes, and prevent abuses related to birth tourism.

"As President Trump emphasizes, citizenship should not be a commodity to be obtained through the deliberate exploitation of U.S. immigration laws. The State Department is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security to combat birth tourism and protect the integrity of the U.S. immigration system," the department's website states.

On the subject: US overseas territories have become birth tourism hubs for those seeking to give their children American citizenship.

To ensure this work is as effective as possible, the State Department has created a special task force to curb birth tourism.

This group will monitor the activities of visa holders worldwide, identify cases of birth tourism, and revoke the visas of those involved in or assisting in such activities. Its mission is to uncover and eliminate schemes to profit from birth tourism.

The working group's specialists compare and analyze information available to the State Department and other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Through this coordination, the State Department addresses birth tourism worldwide, with staff reviewing the travel histories of individuals from various countries to identify and combat abuses.

The working group, in an effort to prevent such abuses, has already cancelled more than 600 visas of foreign citizens in various countries around the world.

Generally, the Department of State will revoke a visa if there is evidence that the visa holder no longer meets the requirements for entry into the United States or for obtaining a visa.

The US Secretary of State has broad authority to revoke visas at his own discretion, and the Trump administration intends to use this authority to protect Americans and maintain the integrity of the US immigration system.

Birth tourism has become a commercial enterprise.

Intermediaries have turned birth tourism into a lucrative commercial industry.

They present themselves as birth assistants, midwives, or health and wellness specialists, while openly advertising services for organizing “birth in the USA,” assistance with obtaining visas, and arrangements with hospitals.

Some falsify medical documents or instruct clients to conceal the true purpose of their trip and avoid paying hospital bills. Online advertisements promise these clients "automatic citizenship" and a "borderless future."

The State Department is taking steps to disrupt such networks and hold accountable those involved.

Birth tourism scams

The work of the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, as well as staff at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, helps identify common fraudulent schemes.

Aliens who knowingly misrepresent the purpose of their travel or entry into the United States may be permanently ineligible to obtain a U.S. visa or enter the United States.

The State Department has uncovered schemes that show the lengths to which some applicants go to circumvent U.S. laws, obtain U.S. citizenship for their children, and perhaps even for themselves in the future.

In one of many cases, a married couple used a conference and shopping trip as cover to travel to the United States and have two children. In two separate visa applications, the couple lied about the purpose of their trip. The second time, they also concealed the fact that they already had a child. Their visas were revoked.

In another case, a foreign government official applied for a visa for a week-long trip to the United States on behalf of her government, but instead spent three months in the country, gave birth, and then left. The State Department also revoked her visa.

Another traveler applied for a visa stating she was going on vacation to Orlando, but instead traveled to Los Angeles and gave birth five days after arriving. The State Department also revoked her visa.

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Citizenship should not become a commodity to be obtained through deliberate exploitation and circumvention of immigration laws. Foreigners who abuse the visa system, as well as those who assist them in doing so, may lose their visas, entry rights, and the ability to reside in the United States.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Trump signed two new executive orders restricting birthright citizenship.

US citizenship by birth remains: Trump has not appealed to the Supreme Court again.

ICE is cracking down on birth tourism.

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