US Warns Nigerians Against Birth Tourism

Abuja, Nigeria – The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a stern warning against “birth tourism,” cautioning Nigerians against traveling to the U.S. primarily to give birth for the purpose of securing American citizenship for their children.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the U.S. Mission stated, “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. Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”

The warning highlights the U.S. government’s stance against the misuse of visitor visas (B1/B2) for birth tourism, a practice where individuals travel to the U.S. to deliver babies, automatically granting their children U.S. citizenship under the 14^th Amendment.

The U.S. Mission emphasized that consular officers are trained to scrutinize visa applications and will reject any request if they suspect the applicant’s primary motive is birth tourism. Factors such as advanced pregnancy, lack of strong ties to Nigeria, or previous instances of birth tourism may lead to visa denials.

This advisory aligns with broader U.S. efforts to curb immigration-related fraud. In recent years, the U.S. has tightened visa regulations, particularly for countries with high rates of birth tourism. Authorities have also targeted businesses facilitating such trips, including “maternity hotels” that cater to pregnant foreign nationals.

Nigerians found to have misrepresented their travel intentions could face visa cancellations, bans, or even legal repercussions. The U.S. Department of State has reiterated that while tourism and medical visits are permitted, obtaining a visa under false pretenses violates U.S. immigration laws.

The warning has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with some supporting the crackdown on visa abuse urging Nigerians to stay home, while others argue that the policy unfairly targets pregnant women. Immigration experts advise applicants to provide honest and verifiable reasons for travel to avoid complications.