THE United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a clear warning to Nigerians seeking to travel to the U.S. for the purpose of giving birth in order to obtain American citizenship for their children, a practice commonly referred to as “birth tourism.”
In a public statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday sighted by News Point Nigeria, the U.S. Mission reiterated that entering the U.S. with the primary intention of delivering a baby to secure citizenship for the child is a misuse of the visa system and would result in a visa denial.
“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 message stated.
“Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”
The advisory forms part of a wider effort by U.S. immigration authorities to clamp down on visa fraud and misuse, particularly related to non-immigrant travel for childbirth.
While the U.S. grants birthright citizenship to any child born on American soil, immigration officials stress that visas must not be used to exploit that right through deceptive travel purposes.
This practice has become a growing concern for U.S. authorities in recent years, as thousands of foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have sought to give birth in the US, bypassing the traditional immigration system for long-term residency and future sponsorship opportunities.
The message from the U.S. Mission in Nigeria is not an isolated occurrence. Similar warnings were issued earlier in July by the U.S. Mission in Jamaica and the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, all of which cautioned their respective citizens about the consequences of misrepresenting travel intentions during visa applications.
According to U.S. law, consular officers are empowered to refuse visa applications if they believe the applicant is being dishonest or withholding key information, including their true intent for traveling.
The warning has significant implications for Nigerian nationals, many of whom view birthright citizenship as an opportunity to secure long-term advantages for their children, including easier access to education, healthcare, and future immigration benefits.
The U.S. Embassy’s latest stance serves as a reminder that visa transparency is non-negotiable, and that any form of deception especially birth tourism can lead to severe immigration consequences, including visa bans or revocations.
U.S. authorities advise Nigerians and other foreign nationals to apply for visas honestly and travel only for the purpose stated, whether it be for tourism, business, education, or medical treatment, and not to exploit visa categories for hidden motives.
Birth tourism is the practice where pregnant women travel to another country particularly the U.S. to give birth so their child automatically gains citizenship by birth under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Though not illegal per se, the intentional misuse of visitor visas to achieve this objective especially if misrepresented in visa interviews is considered fraudulent and violates U.S. immigration law.
The U.S. has in the past prosecuted operators of “birth tourism” agencies and denied entry to individuals suspected of engaging in such practices.