The United States has issued a strong advisory targeting Nigerian nationals in a renewed crackdown on what is commonly known as “birth tourism” — the act of traveling to the U.S. primarily to give birth so the child gains American citizenship.
According to the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, visa applicants whose primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States may be denied entry. The warning was shared publicly via social media, signaling that consular officers have been directed to closely scrutinize visitor visa applications for signs of “anchor baby” intentions.
This move aligns with broader immigration reforms introduced in recent years. Nigerian applicants, who once enjoyed five-year multiple-entry visas, are now subject to tighter restrictions — including single-entry visas valid for just three months. These changes were designed to reduce misuse of the U.S. immigration system and are especially focused on preventing the use of medical tourism to obtain birthright citizenship.
Although the U.S. Constitution still guarantees citizenship to children born on American soil, regardless of their parents’ status, this latest enforcement measure targets the visa process rather than the constitutional right itself. The U.S. government insists that using a visitor visa for the sole purpose of childbirth is considered fraud and could result in visa denial or future ineligibility.
Nigeria has been identified as one of the countries with high rates of birth tourism, and the recent changes aim to discourage this trend. Authorities are now advising Nigerians to be honest about their travel intentions and avoid using travel visas for maternity purposes.
This development has sparked concern among families and frequent travelers who see the move as discriminatory, while U.S. officials maintain it is necessary to preserve the integrity of immigration laws.