The State Department has identified multiple birth tourism networks operating overseas, according to a Wednesday report.
The discoveries came after the State Department directed U.S. diplomatic personnel to closely scrutinize potentially fraudulent documentation.
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As a result, U.S. embassies in West Africa, Europe, and North Africa uncovered evidence of several schemes allegedly designed to generate false records and help foreign nationals travel to the United States for the purpose of giving birth on American soil.
The Daily Wire was the first outlet to report on the existence of the networks.
In West Africa, a U.S. embassy uncovered a “sophisticated birth tourism network” where more than 100 foreign nationals were using fraudulent documents to obtain visas and secure U.S. citizenship for their offspring.
The State Department shut down this birth tourism network and revoked the foreign nationals’ visas, the outlet reported.
In addition, the department is coordinating with local authorities to “systematically identify and cut off any similar operations.”
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“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes,” said State Department messaging seen by The Daily Wire.
“No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the U.S.,” the message said, per the outlet.
One U.S. embassy in Europe identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases dating back to 2024.
Investigators allegedly linked the activity to at least six companies that were coaching visa applicants on how to answer interview questions, arranging accommodations and coordinating plans for childbirth in the United States, said The Daily Wire.
According to the report, State Department officials disrupted the operation, revoked the visas involved and imposed permanent travel bans on several individuals accused of participating in the scheme, barring them from entering the United States in the future.
A U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to individuals accused of traveling to the United States for the primary purpose of giving birth to children who would automatically receive American citizenship.
According to the report, State Department consular officers partnered with law enforcement agencies and used data-analysis tools to identify networks allegedly exploiting the visa system and facilitating the practice, said the report.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the State Department messaging said.
“The State Department is taking action around the world to stop this abuse, dismantle birth tourism networks, and hold accountable those who try to scam our system,” it added, per the outlet.
The Daily Wire previously investigated cases of birth tourism in Texas.
There, the state sued De’Ai Postpartum Care Center in Houston for “exploiting birthright citizenship by unlawfully facilitating the invasion of Chinese nationals … for the sole purpose of giving birth.”
The center stands accused of facilitating births of more than 1,000 babies, who become American citizens immediately.
President Donald Trump quickly signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship after taking office in January 2025.
However, the order has faced multiple legal challenges and has been repeatedly paused as a result. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the order in late June or early July.
“We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!” Trump noted on social media the day the high court heard oral arguments in the case.
Courtroom observers said most justices seemed skeptical of the order and viewed the Constitution’s language on the issue, contained within the Fourteenth Amendment, as plain and clear.
Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Supreme Court hearing.
Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson left many scratching their heads with a confusing and frankly bizarre response to the Trump administration’s arguments in defending the order.
“I was thinking, I, a U.S. citizen, am visiting Japan. And what it means is that if I steal someone’s wallet in Japan, the Japanese authorities can arrest me and prosecute me,” Jackson said.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
