US announces new visa restriction policy for those who engage in or facilitate birth tourism

The United States on Wednesday said it will not allow foreigners to exploit its immigration system and violate the sanctity of US citizenship, announcing a new visa restriction policy for those who engage in or facilitate birth tourism.

Foreign commercial birth tourism networks have exploited the US immigration system to sell US citizenship for profit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a press statement.

These networks advertise and coach foreign nationals to lie on US visa applications and collect tens of thousands of dollars to arrange births on American soil for the sole purpose of obtaining US citizenship.

"Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act," Rubio said.

This policy targets individuals who knowingly engage in, have engaged in, or facilitate birth tourism to the United States, including owners, operators, and managers of commercial birth tourism facilitation networks, visa "fixers" who coach applicants to commit fraud, foreign medical providers who knowingly abet and facilitate such travel and the fraudulent use of our Medicaid system, and other individuals who support, abet, and enable commercial birth tourism.

"The Trump Administration is using every tool at our disposal to defend the integrity of US citizenship, protect American public benefits and US taxpayers from exploitation, and safeguard our national security," said the US Secretary of State.

By restricting visa issuance of those who both engage in and profit from this fraud, he said they are sending a clear message.

This visa restriction policy is pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Certain family members may also be covered by these restrictions, according to the US Department of State.