US imposes new rules to restrict ‘Birth Tourism’

January 23: New visa rules were issued by the United States of America aimed to curb ‘birth tourism’ in which pregnant women travel to the United States to give birth so their children can have a coveted US passport. Under the rule, pregnant women applying for US visitor visas may need to prove they have a specific reason for travel other than giving birth on US soil.

“An entire ‘birth tourism’ industry has evolved to assist pregnant women from other countries to come to the United States to obtain US citizenship for their children by giving birth in the United States, and thereby entitle their children to the benefits of US citizenship,” according to the State Department rules. The US has been cracking down on the practice since before President Donald Trump took office.

Nearly all children born in the US gets automatic citizenship – a law US President Donald Trump has criticised. The new law tightens rules on those wishing to enter the US for medical treatment. Visa applicants must now prove they have “the means and intent” to pay for their medical expenses, and convince a consular officer that they have arranged for a doctor willing to provide their treatment.

Birth tourism is a lucrative business in both the US and abroad. Companies take out advertisements and charge up to $80,000 to facilitate the practice, offering hotel rooms and medical care. Many of the women travel from Russia and China to give birth in the US.