The US has revoked more than 600 visas over the past month as the Trump administration steps up its crackdown on birth tourism, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated.
The visa cancellations followed a review by the State Department’s newly established Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force, which was created to identify visa holders involved in birth tourism and target networks accused of helping foreigners travel to the US to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.
“In just one month, the Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force has taken action to revoke more than 600 visas from foreign nationals across the globe,” Rubio said in a post on X. He added that the administration would continue efforts to prevent what he called an abuse of US laws.
Rubio: ‘American citizenship is not for sale’
The crackdown comes after an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on August 6 targeting birth tourism.
“American citizenship is not for sale,” Rubio said, accusing birth tourism networks of exploiting the US immigration system.
According to Rubio, some of these networks allegedly coach foreign travelers on how to misrepresent their intentions when applying for visas, arrange accommodation and travel, and in some cases forge documents to facilitate trips to the US.
“The State Department will use all available tools to dismantle birth tourism networks and defend the integrity of US citizenship,” Rubio said.
Examination of travel records
The State Department said the task force is designed to coordinate information held by the department and other federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security.
Officials said the coordination allows the government to examine travel histories and other information involving individuals from around the world as part of its effort to identify suspected birth tourism activity.
The department said visa revocations generally occur when officials determine that there are indications a visa holder may no longer be eligible for the document.
It also pointed to the broad authority of the Secretary of State to revoke visas, saying the Trump administration intends to use that authority to protect the US immigration system and what it described as the integrity of American citizenship.
The latest action marks a significant expansion of the administration’s efforts to target birth tourism, with the State Department indicating that the task force will continue investigating suspected networks and visa holders globally.
