The US Embassy in Nigeria has announced it will deny visas to foreign nationals suspected of wanting to travel to the US to give birth, so their children can obtain US citizenship.

"Your visa will be denied if we believe the primary purpose of your trip is to give birth in the US to obtain US citizenship for your child," the embassy stated on X on 28/7.

Beyond Nigeria, US embassies in Uganda, Jamaica, the Caribbean, and elsewhere have issued similar warnings about "birth tourism". On 1/7, the US Embassy in Uganda cautioned Ugandans that traveling to the US solely to give birth for citizenship purposes is not permitted.

The US government says many Ugandan parents are using tourist visas to give birth in the US and utilize government healthcare benefits, burdening US taxpayers. These individuals may not be eligible for visa renewals in the future.

Illustration of a pregnant woman traveling to the US for birthright citizenship. Image: *Fox News*

The US Embassy in Colombo issued a similar statement to Sri Lankan citizens and foreign nationals, advising them against using tourist visas to give birth in the US to obtain citizenship for their children.

For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution has stipulated that anyone born on US soil automatically becomes a US citizen. Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end automatic birthright citizenship for most people born in US territory.

In June, the US Supreme Court ruled that federal judges could not issue nationwide injunctions to block presidential orders. However, this order has not yet been implemented due to related issues and opposition.

Birthright citizenship is not a global norm. The US is one of about 30 countries—mainly in the Americas—that grant automatic citizenship to any child born within their borders.

Conversely, many countries in Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa adhere to the principle of "jus sanguinis"—children inherit citizenship from their parents, regardless of their birthplace. Some other countries combine both principles, granting citizenship to the children of permanent residents.

Hoai Anh (*BBC*)