Over 100 West Africans caught in scheme to secure US citizenship for their children - US

The United States Department of State has announced that a US embassy in West Africa has uncovered and dismantled a birth tourism network involving more than 100 foreign nationals.

According to the department, in a series of posts on X on June 10, 2026, the individuals used fraudulent documents and visa "fixers" to obtain US visas with the aim of securing American citizenship for their children through birth in the United States.

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The department said the operation has been shut down, the visas of those involved have been revoked, and efforts are underway with local authorities to identify and stop similar schemes.

“A US embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network of more than 100 foreign nationals using fraudulent documents and visa ‘fixers’ to get themselves visas in order to get U.S. citizenship for their children. We shut it down, revoked these foreign nationals’ visas, and are coordinating with local authorities to systematically identify and cut off any similar operations,” the statement said.

The State Department stressed that obtaining a visitor visa for the purpose of giving birth in the United States to secure citizenship for a child is not permitted.

It said the crackdown forms part of efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump to protect the integrity of US citizenship.

“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of US citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes. No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the US,” the department stated.

The department also disclosed that investigations in Europe uncovered more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024.

According to the statement, investigators linked the cases to at least six companies that coached visa applicants, arranged accommodation in the United States, and organised childbirth plans.

“In Europe, a US embassy identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024. Investigators traced them to at least six companies that coached applicants on what to say in their visa interview, arranged US housing, and set up delivery plans. We shut it down, revoked their visas, and permanently banned several fraudsters from traveling to the United States ever again,” it added.

The State Department further revealed that a US embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to parents who travelled to the United States primarily to give birth.

It said consular officers worked with law enforcement agencies and used data analytics to identify and dismantle the networks behind the scheme.

“One US embassy in North Africa revoked over 100 visas for ‘birth tourist’ parents who came to the United States primarily to give birth so their children would get US citizenship. Consular officers – working with law enforcement and using data analytics – identified several networks abusing the system and put a stop to it,” the statement said.

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The department reiterated that a US visa is a privilege and not a right, adding that it will continue efforts to stop abuse of the immigration system.

“A US visa is a privilege, not a right. The State Department is taking action around the world to stop this abuse, dismantle birth tourism networks, and hold accountable those who try to scam our system,” it concluded.

Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes.

No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the U.S.

— Department of State (@StateDept) June 10, 2026