United States revokes 600 visas to curb birth‑tourism schemes

The U.S. Department of State announced on June 10, 2026 that it has revoked more than 600 B‑1/B‑2 visitor visas linked to organized birth‑tourism networks. These schemes facilitate pregnant foreign nationals traveling to the United States to give birth, thereby securing citizenship for their children.

The crackdown targets companies and intermediaries that provide services such as consular interview coaching, falsified documents, temporary lodging and coordinated medical birth plans. The identified networks involved applicants primarily from West Africa, North Africa and several European countries. Organizers and facilitators have been placed under permanent entry bans, and future visa applicants will face stricter scrutiny of travel intent.

The State Department said the action follows two years of consular investigations and international cooperation, and it will continue monitoring similar fraud attempts worldwide.