The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a stern warning to visa applicants, making it clear that anyone traveling primarily to give birth in the United States to secure American citizenship for their child will be denied a visa.
The warning was posted on Monday via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the U.S. Mission, @USinNigeria, and is part of a broader public awareness campaign to prevent visa misuse and uphold immigration rules.
In the statement, the U.S. Mission emphasized that consular officers will not approve any visa application if they suspect the primary reason for traveling to the United States is to give birth.
The message 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.”
This advisory comes amid growing concerns about “birth tourism,” a practice where expectant mothers travel to the United States with the intention of giving birth so that their children automatically acquire U.S. citizenship. Under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, any child born on U.S. soil automatically becomes an American citizen, regardless of the nationality or immigration status of the parents. This has led some foreign nationals, including Nigerians, to exploit the loophole.
However, U.S. authorities have tightened visa scrutiny over the years to prevent abuse. The recent post by the U.S. Mission signals renewed efforts to enforce this policy strictly.
Birth tourism has become a controversial issue in U.S. immigration policy. While some families see it as a way to secure a better future for their children, U.S. authorities argue that it undermines immigration integrity and places additional strain on public resources.
In January 2020, the U.S. government introduced new rules requiring pregnant women applying for tourist visas to prove they are traveling for legitimate purposes other than giving birth. The current warning reinforces these measures and cautions against any attempt to misrepresent travel intentions.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria stressed that visa misuse can lead to serious consequences, including immediate rejection of the application if birth tourism is suspected, long-term ineligibility for U.S. visas for repeat offenders, and permanent visa ineligibility for providing false information during the visa process.
Applicants are advised to be truthful about their travel plans and comply with U.S. immigration laws to avoid these penalties.
To avoid visa denial, applicants should provide honest and accurate information about their travel purpose, demonstrate strong ties to Nigeria such as employment, family, and property to assure consular officers of their return, and avoid scheduling travel close to the expected due date, as this may raise suspicion.
The U.S. Mission has repeatedly urged Nigerians to familiarize themselves with visa regulations to prevent misunderstandings.
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