Trump's US Cracks Down on Ghanaians, Other Foreigners Travelling to Give Birth, Revokes Visas

Trump's US Cracks Down on Ghanaians, Other Foreigners Travelling to Give Birth, Revokes Visas

  • The United States of America has expressed disquiet over the practice of foreign nationals reportedly abusing visitor visas
  • The Department of State opened up on findings of birth tourism schemes masterminded by groups across Africa
  • Netizens who took to the comments section of the post shared opinions on the US moving to block birth tourism plans

The US Department of State has announced the revocation of hundreds of visas from West Africa and other regions in the wake of the latest discovery.

The agency, taking to X on Wednesday, June 10, cautioned against the abuse of visitor visas by people travelling to America for birth tourism reasons.

US, Visa, Travel, America, Birth Tourism, Celebrities, Activities, US Passport
The US, under President Donald Trump, cautions Ghanaians and other Africans who use visitor visas to give birth in the US. Photo credit: @Prostock-Studio, Alexander W Helin/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

This comes after a US embassy in West Africa discovered that a group was using fake documents and the help of middlemen to travel to the US to give birth.

As a result of these findings, the Department of State stated that it has cancelled the visas of persons found to be involved in that scheme.

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“A US embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network of more than 100 foreign nationals using fraudulent documents and visa ‘fixers’ to obtain visas in order to secure US citizenship for their children. We shut it down, revoked these foreign nationals’ visas, and are coordinating with local authorities to systematically identify and cut off any similar operations.”

The US Department of State indicated that visitors are not allowed to travel to the country for the purpose of giving birth, adding that US citizenship is a privilege and not a right.

“Consular officers, working with law enforcement and using data analytics, identified several networks abusing the system and put a stop to it. A US visa is a privilege, not a right. The State Department is taking action around the world to stop this abuse, dismantle birth tourism networks, and hold accountable those who try to scam our system.”

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Below is the X post from the Department of State on moves to prevent birth tourism schemes:

Reactions to US caution against birth tourism

Social media users who took to the comment section of the post shared varied opinions on the caution issued against travelling to the US for birth tourism.

@Bobiesttee stated:

“Please ban all visas to the US so other countries can do the same. Let everyone stay in their country.”

@retardrepost stated:

“But why not just end birthright citizenship altogether? It’s completely absurd to believe a Chinese couple can come to America as tourists, have a baby, and that child becomes American, with all the legal benefits that come with it.”

@realObinnaJoel stated:

“The greatest victims of birth migration are ordinary citizens of third world countries, where corrupt leaders steal from citizens to send their wives abroad to give birth and secure foreign citizenship for their kids while their people back home suffer.”
US, World Cup, Travel, Sanction, Foreign, visa, application, Donald Trump, president, Ghana, Birth Tourism
US President Donald Trump tightens immigration policies during his term. Photo credit: @Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

US deports man after months in ICE centre

In other news, YEN.com.gh also reported that a man had been deported to his home country after 10 months in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

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He described the conditions in the ICE facility as harsh, saying that they were designed to break people emotionally and mentally, pushing them to accept deportation.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Philip Boateng Kessie avatar

Philip Boateng Kessie (Head of Human Interest Desk) Philip Boateng Kessie is the Head of the Diaspora Affairs Desk at YEN.com.gh, where he has worked since 2022. He has over eight years of journalism experience and holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from the University of Cape Coast. Philip previously served as Head of the Human Interest Desk at YEN.com.gh and has also worked as a reporter for Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and a content writer for Scooper News. He also holds certificates in Advanced Digital Reporting and Fighting Misinformation. Email: philip.kessie@yen.com.gh