US Cracks Down on Nigerian Visa Requests Aimed at Birth Tourism
The United States government has made a firm stand against visa applications from Nigerians whose main goal is to travel to America just to have a baby and secure US citizenship for their child. This practice, often dubbed birth tourism, is now clearly off the table under US immigration policies.
In a recent announcement on its official X platform, the US Mission in Nigeria clarified that visas will be denied if consular officials believe the primary travel purpose is childbirth in the US to gain citizenship. “We will refuse your visa if we determine your main intent is to give birth in the United States to obtain citizenship for your child,” the statement pointedly warned. It emphasized that exploiting a visa for birth tourism is strictly prohibited.
Birth tourism refers to the trend where pregnant women fly to countries with jus soli laws—where anyone born on the soil automatically gains citizenship—regardless of their parents’ nationality or residency. The US, known for its birthright citizenship, has long been a target destination for such plans.
The topic has sparked heated debates and legal battles, especially after former President Donald Trump’s administration tried to end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants. The executive order introduced in early 2025 faced multiple judicial roadblocks and has been blocked nationwide by a federal judge as recently as last week.
Judge Joseph Laplante, who issued the latest ruling, hailed US citizenship as “the greatest privilege that exists in the world” and cautioned that stripping citizenship through executive action without Congress’s involvement risks “irreparable harm” to thousands, including children currently recognized as citizens.
Opponents of the order argued that it is unconstitutional and would disrupt millions relying on citizenship-based public benefits, such as healthcare funding. As the legal tug-of-war continues, the dialogue over who qualifies for birthright citizenship remains a flashpoint in immigration policy debates.