The US State Department has intensified its efforts to combat 'birth tourism' schemes, revoking hundreds of B-1/B-2 visitor visas linked to suspected misuse of the immigration system.
In a statement, the State Department said it was 'defending the integrity of US citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes.'
The department added that 'no foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring US citizenship for a child by giving birth in the US.'
US authorities can deny or revoke visas if officials determine there has been fraud, misrepresentation or misuse of the visa process.
According to the State Department, US embassies across several regions have identified networks allegedly involved in birth tourism-related visa fraud.
Authorities revoked the visas and said they were working with local officials to identify related operations.
