The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has issued a stern warning that visa applications will be denied if consular officials believe the primary reason for travel is to give birth in the United States in a practice commonly called “birth tourism.”
The Mission stressed that it is against U.S. immigration policy to travel to the U.S. to obtain citizenship for a child through birth in a statement posted on its official X account on Monday.
“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,” the statement read. “Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”
The announcement comes after stricter enforcement of laws pertaining to travel prompted by childbirth and heightened scrutiny of non-immigrant visa applications. Such actions, according to the U.S., compromise the integrity of its immigration system.
Contentious birthright citizenship law
The 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship has continued to be a contentious topic in immigration discussions, especially when foreigners travel only to take advantage of it.
“The integrity of our immigration system is a top priority,” the Mission stated, reaffirming that all visa decisions are made in compliance with international security and procedural standards.
The U.S. Department of State previously updated its visa reciprocity policy for Nigeria, limiting the majority of non-diplomatic, non-immigrant visas to single-entry permits with a three-month validity period, as part of its larger efforts to combat visa abuse.
Nigerians were advised by U.S. officials to be open and honest about their travel plans and to refrain from trying to take advantage of visa requirements.
USA to screen social media accounts of Nigerian visa applicants
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria earlier this month mandated that all applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas change the privacy settings of their personal social media accounts to “public” to facilitate more extensive background checks.
The new rule, which was made public via the Mission’s official X page, takes effect immediately for exchange visitors and students planning to visit the US.
“Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to public,” the post stated.
According to the Mission, the policy will allow for thorough screening to confirm the identities and admissibility of applicants.
“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security,” the post added.