The U.S. Department of State has revoked more than 6,000 visas from foreign nationals whom U.S. authorities link to so-called birth tourism—trips to the United States for the purpose of giving birth to a child and securing U.S. citizenship for that child. The State Department announced this on November 12, 2026, on its official page on the social media platform X.
According to the department, the Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force has revoked more than 6,000 visas from foreign nationals who, according to U.S. authorities, participated in such trips or facilitated their organization.
“We are identifying everyone involved in this illegal practice and holding them accountable,” the State Department stated.
As early as October 31, the U.S. State Department reported the revocation of more than 4,000 visas as part of the fight against birth tourism.
Since both announcements contain rounded minimum figures, the exact number of additional visas revoked during this period is unknown.
In its October announcement, the State Department noted that more than 700 of the revoked visas belonged to Chinese citizens. The November update does not provide a breakdown by nationality.
There is also no information on the number of Ukrainian citizens who may have been affected by these restrictions.
SThe State Department established a special task force to combat birth tourism on August 12, 2026. At the time of its creation, U.S. authorities had already reported the revocation of more than 600 visas issued to foreign nationals from various countries. The unit’s primary mission is to review the travel histories of foreign nationals, identify potential violations of visa laws, and identify the organizers of commercial birth tourism schemes.
The task force collaborates with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies. In August 2026, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order No. 14419, “Ending Birth Tourism,” which calls for stricter controls on the use of nonimmigrant visas for travel to the United States for the purpose of giving birth.
The document authorizes U.S. authorities to take measures provided for by law, including denying visas, revoking previously issued entry permits, and imposing restrictions on individuals and organizations that facilitate such trips.
On September 23, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced additional visa restriction policies targeting foreigners involved in the commercial organization of birth tourism.
Specifically, restrictions may apply to owners and executives of relevant companies, intermediaries who assist in submitting false information on visa applications, as well as other participants in such schemes.
According to the State Department’s assessment, certain commercial companies earn tens of thousands of dollars by organizing trips for pregnant foreign women to the United States with the aim of securing U.S. citizenship for their children.
Under current U.S. regulations, a trip whose primary purpose is the birth of a child to obtain U.S. citizenship is not a valid basis for issuing a Category B visitor visa. At the same time, U.S. law permits foreign nationals to travel to receive medical services provided there are valid grounds and visa requirements are met.
The stated and actual purpose of the trip is of key importance. Concealing information from consular officers or providing false information may constitute grounds for visa denial or revocation.
Pregnancy alone does not automatically bar entry into the United States. The published data on more than 6,000 revoked visas also does not mean that the same number of people were deported from the United States or found guilty of criminal offenses. The new measures are aimed at regulating the visa process, not directly at changing the rules for children born on U.S. soil to acquire citizenship.
The issue of citizenship by birth is governed by specific provisions of U.S. law and remains the subject of legal and political debate.
For foreigners planning to travel to the U.S., the tightening of controls means they must more carefully verify the purpose of their visit, their financial resources, and the accuracy of the information provided in their visa documents.
