The United States has dismantled several birth tourism networks operating in Europe and West Africa, revoking visas and working with foreign governments to crack down on schemes aimed at securing U.S. citizenship for children born on American soil.

In a series of posts on X, the U.S. Department of State revealed that investigators had identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases across Europe since 2024. Officials said the cases were connected to at least six companies accused of coaching visa applicants on how to navigate consular interviews, arranging accommodation in the United States, and coordinating travel and childbirth plans for expectant mothers.

According to the department, the operation has been shut down and all visas linked to the individuals involved have been revoked. Authorities said they are continuing to work with partner governments to detect and dismantle similar networks in other countries.

Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes.

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.

— Department of State (@StateDept) June 10, 2026

Network exposed in West Africa

The State Department also announced that a U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered what it described as a sophisticated birth tourism operation involving more than 100 foreign nationals. Investigators allege that participants used fraudulent documents and relied on visa “fixers” to secure entry into the United States with the intention of obtaining American citizenship for their children through birth in the country.

With the latest findings, the total number of suspected birth tourism cases identified across Europe and West Africa has surpassed 500. U.S. officials confirmed that all visas associated with the cases have been revoked.

Broader immigration enforcement effort

The crackdown forms part of the Trump administration’s wider immigration enforcement agenda, which seeks to curb practices officials view as misuse of the U.S. visa system. The administration has consistently maintained that visitor visas should not be used primarily to obtain citizenship benefits for children born in the United States.

“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes,” the department said. It reiterated that foreign nationals are not permitted to use visitor visas for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to secure citizenship for a child.

Debate over birthright citizenship

Birth tourism remains a contentious issue in the United States because children born on U.S. soil generally acquire citizenship under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Federal authorities have for years investigated businesses accused of facilitating such travel arrangements, particularly in cases where applicants concealed the true purpose of their visit or submitted fraudulent documents during the visa application process.

The latest enforcement actions signal a renewed effort by U.S. authorities to target organised networks that profit from birth tourism and to strengthen oversight of visa applications worldwide.