US announces new visa restrictions for birth tourism facilitators

The US has introduced new visa restrictions targeting individuals who engage in or facilitate "birth tourism" to the country. These measures, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, target owners, operators, and managers of commercial birth tourism networks, visa "fixers" who coach applicants to commit fraud, and foreign medical providers who knowingly facilitate such travel.

The policy aims to protect the integrity of the US immigration system, prevent exploitation of public benefits, and safeguard national security. Birth tourism involves foreigners traveling to the US primarily to give birth so their children can obtain US citizenship, a practice that US authorities have long deemed ineligible for visitor visas.

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