11 hrs ago
US Restricts Visas for Commercial Birth Tourism Networks
The United States is creating new visa restrictions connected to birth tourism.
Birth tourism means traveling to the US mainly to have a baby who may receive US citizenship.
The policy focuses on businesses and people who organize or help arrange these trips.
It may affect people who coach visa applicants to lie about their plans.
Foreign medical providers may also be included if they knowingly help with the travel or alleged Medicaid fraud.
Officials say some operators charge tens of thousands of dollars for their services.
The restrictions can prevent covered people from receiving visas without requiring a criminal conviction first.
The policy does not change the rules about citizenship for children born in the US.
The articles differ on whether birth tourism is described as illegal, but they agree that giving birth in the US while visiting is not itself automatically illegal.
The United States announced visa restrictions against people who knowingly engage in or facilitate commercial birth tourism.
Targets include network owners, operators, managers, visa fixers, foreign medical providers and other alleged enablers.
Officials say some networks coach applicants to misrepresent their travel plans and charge tens of thousands of dollars.
The State Department also alleges that some networks help clients fraudulently access Medicaid-funded emergency childbirth services.
The visa-based policy does not change birthright citizenship rules or make giving birth in the US while visiting itself illegal.
- Who
- The United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and people or businesses involved in commercial birth tourism networks.
- What
- A visa restriction policy targeting individuals who knowingly engage in, profit from or facilitate birth tourism.
- Where
- The policy concerns travel to and childbirth in the United States.
- When
- Marco Rubio announced the policy on September 23; the articles also refer to earlier actions in 2020 and under the Trump administration.
- Why
- US officials say it will address alleged visa fraud, Medicaid misuse, commercial exploitation, taxpayer costs and threats to the integrity of US citizenship.
Key facts
- Legal authority
- Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Policy targets
- Owners, operators and managers of commercial birth tourism networks, visa fixers, foreign medical providers and other people who knowingly enable the practice.
- Birth tourism
- Traveling to the United States primarily to give birth so a child can obtain US citizenship.
- Alleged conduct
- Coaching applicants to misrepresent their travel purpose and arranging travel, accommodation, hospital services or medical care.
- Financial scale
- The articles say some operators charge tens of thousands of dollars per client.
- Medicaid concern
- The State Department alleges that some networks coach clients to fraudulently access Medicaid-funded emergency childbirth services.
- Policy scope
- The restriction is visa-based, may affect certain family members and can apply without a prior criminal conviction.
- Citizenship rules
- The policy does not change birthright citizenship rules, which the articles say face a separate legal challenge.
Quotes
Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State who announced the visa restriction policy
“By restricting visa issuance of those who both engage in and profit from this fraud, we are sending a clear message: The United States will not allow foreigners to exploit our immigration system and violate the sanctity of U.S. citizenship.”
financialexpress.com
NDTV
rediff.com
“These networks advertise and coach foreign nationals to lie on U.S. visa applications and collect tens of thousands of dollars to arrange births on American soil for the sole purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship.”
NDTV
Sources
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