New US visa restrictions target commercial birth tourism networks.
A new visa restriction policy has been established by the United States that targets those engaged in or assisting commercial birth tourism, such as foreign medical professionals, birth tourism network operators, and visa intermediates.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy, stating that Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act is being used to impose the limits.
“The U.S. immigration system has been abused by foreign commercial birth tourism networks to profitably sell U.S. citizenship. In order to get U.S. citizenship, these networks pay tens of thousands of dollars to arrange births on American soil by promoting and coaching foreign persons to lie on U.S. visa applications,” according to Rubio.
People who knowingly participate in, have participated in, or aid birth tourism to the United States will be subject to restrictions under the policy. This includes visa “fixers” who train applicants to commit fraud, as well as owners, operators, and managers of networks that facilitate commercial birth tourism.
Along with other people who encourage, assist, or promote commercial birth tourism, the policy also encompasses foreign medical providers who knowingly enable such travel and the fraudulent use of the Medicaid system.
According to Rubio, the government is taking this action to safeguard taxpayers, public services, and the integrity of US citizenship.
“We are sending a clear message The United States will not allow foreigners to exploit our immigration system and violate the sanctity of U.S. citizenship by restricting the issuance of visas to those who both engage in and profit from this fraud,” he stated.
The statement claims that some family members might also be subject to the visa limitations.
