US State Department revokes visas in birth tourism crackdown

The United States State Department announced on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, a series of enforcement actions dismantling what it described as illegal birth tourism networks across multiple continents and revoking hundreds of visas. Officials said the actions targeted foreign nationals who allegedly used visitor visas primarily to travel to the United States to give birth, thereby securing American citizenship for their children.

The department detailed investigations by U.S. embassies in Europe, West Africa, and North Africa. In Europe, officials identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024, linking them to at least six companies accused of coaching applicants for visa interviews, arranging U.S. accommodation, and organizing delivery plans. The visas of those involved were revoked, and several facilitators were permanently banned from entering the United States.

In West Africa, a U.S. embassy uncovered what it called a sophisticated network involving more than 100 foreign nationals allegedly using fraudulent documents and visa fixers to obtain travel authorization. That operation was also shut down, with visas revoked, and the department said it is coordinating...