US VISAS
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has issued a strong warning to Nigerians about traveling to the U.S. with the main goal of giving birth, a practice commonly referred to as “birth tourism.
” This warning was shared by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on its official social media account on X (formerly known as Twitter).
According to the statement, the U.S. government will not allow people to misuse the visa system to secure American citizenship for their children by giving birth in the United States.
The embassy stressed that U.S. visas are not intended for this purpose and that consular officers will carefully screen applicants to ensure they are not trying to travel to the U.S. solely for childbirth.
The embassy’s statement read: “Using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so that your child will have U.S. citizenship is not permitted. Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”
This announcement is part of a broader effort by the United States government to tighten immigration and visa policies and prevent abuse of the system.
The statement makes it clear that anyone found to be seeking a visa with the aim of birth tourism will likely have their application denied.
The warning follows similar announcements made earlier this month by the U.S. Mission in Jamaica and the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, suggesting that the U.S. is taking a unified approach to address this issue in multiple countries.
Birth tourism has been a controversial topic in the U.S. for several years.
While the U.S. Constitution grants citizenship to almost anyone born on U.S. soil, the government has been trying to discourage people from entering the country for the sole purpose of taking advantage of this law.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria encourages applicants to be honest about their travel intentions and to use their visas according to the rules
Those found to be dishonest may face visa denial, cancellation, or even permanent ineligibility for future visas.
In conclusion, Nigerians planning to travel to the U.S. are urged to avoid using their visit for childbirth with the intention of securing citizenship for their children.
Doing so not only violates visa rules but could also lead to serious consequences for future travel plans.
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