The announcement, made on Friday, August 29, by the U.S. Department of State, reminded visa holders that travelling for childbirth is considered visa fraud and will not be tolerated.
Officials said consular officers will deny visa applications if they believe applicants intend to use their stay in the U.S. for that purpose.
“Using a U.S. visa to travel primarily to give birth so your child will have American citizenship is not permitted,” read part of the statement.
The warning follows reports that some foreigners, including Africans and Asians, have been using tourist and short-term visas to enter the United States for childbirth.
According to immigration officials, the practice has been growing over the years and places unnecessary strain on public services.
The announcement came only two days after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security unveiled plans to shorten the validity of certain visas, including those for international students and journalists.
Authorities explained that the move is aimed at reducing cases of visa overstays and misuse.
“For too long, loopholes have allowed individuals to exploit the system, staying in the U.S. far longer than intended and at the expense of American taxpayers,” said the department in its statement.
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