The Trump administration has concluded plans to block “birth tourism” which allows pregnant women in foreign countries from obtaining US tourist visas to give birth.
The State Department plans to publicise the rules on Thursday, according to two officials with knowledge of the plans who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. The rules would make it more difficult for pregnant women to travel on a tourist visa.
The move is meant to go after “birth tourism,” which refers to an underground market in which pregnant women travel to the U.S. to have a baby that will immediately be a citizen.
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“Under this rule, if a consular officer has reason to believe a B nonimmigrant visa applicant will give birth in the United States, the applicant is presumed to be seeking a visa for the primary purpose of obtaining US citizenship for the child,” a draft rule obtained by BuzzFeed News reads.
“To rebut this presumption, the visa applicant must establish, to the satisfaction of a consular officer, a legitimate primary purpose other than obtaining US citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States.”
“To rebut this presumption, the visa applicant must establish, to the satisfaction of a consular officer, a legitimate primary purpose other than obtaining US citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States.”
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“Any B nonimmigrant visa applicant who you have reason to believe will give birth during her stay in the United States is presumed to be traveling for the primary purpose of obtaining US citizenship for the child.
“The applicant can overcome this presumption if you find that the primary purpose of travel is not obtaining US citizenship for a child.”
A State Department spokesperson told the platform that, “this change is intended to address the national security and law enforcement risks associated with birth tourism, including criminal activity associated with the birth tourism industry.
“We expect the rule will be published shortly. More details will be available when the rule is published.”
“The applicant can overcome this presumption if you find that the primary purpose of travel is not obtaining US citizenship for a child.”
A State Department spokesperson told the platform that, “this change is intended to address the national security and law enforcement risks associated with birth tourism, including criminal activity associated with the birth tourism industry.
“We expect the rule will be published shortly. More details will be available when the rule is published.”
However, officers, are told not to ask as a matter of course whether the applicant is pregnant or intends to become pregnant, or require an applicant to provide evidence that they are not pregnant.
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