Strict Investigation on Giving Birth in the U.S.: How to Plan for Your Baby's U.S. Citizenship?

Recently, the U.S. Department of State publicly disclosed that it has launched special enforcement actions targeting “birth tourism” in several regions of Europe and Africa, and announced the dismantling of multiple cross-border organizational networks and the revocation of hundreds of U.S. visas of those involved.

Public information shows that this operation covers multiple regions in Europe, West Africa, and North Africa, involving over 600 cases in total. Among them:

• Over 400 suspected cases have been identified in Europe since 2024, with at least six related service agencies tracked;

• A network involving over 100 individuals engaged in organized birth tourism was uncovered in West Africa;

• In North Africa, data analysis and inter-agency collaboration led to the revocation of U.S. visas for more than 100 parents involved.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State reiterated: Foreign nationals must not apply for U.S. tourist visas with the primary intent of obtaining U.S. citizenship for their children.

Visa authenticity checks are being strengthened

More noteworthy than the revocation of hundreds of visas is the enforcement methods publicly disclosed by the U.S. Department of State this time.

Official information shows that consular departments are collaborating with enforcement agencies to identify networks suspected of visa abuse through data analysis, application record comparisons, inter-regional collaboration, and related information identification.

From the public statements, the regulatory focus is not only on the application materials themselves but also on whether the applicants' actual travel behavior aligns with their stated purposes.

The primary targets of this crackdown are not the children born in the U.S. but the application processes involving:

Concealing the true purpose of travel to the U.S.; submitting false information; using intermediary packaging; and applying for visa types inconsistent with the actual purpose.

The U.S. Department of State reiterated: “A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.”

This statement implies that visa approval involves not only eligibility reviews but also emphasizes the alignment between the stated purpose and actual behavior.

For future applicants, whether for tourism, family visits, medical treatment, education, or other U.S. arrangements, it will become increasingly important to truthfully state plans and ensure consistency between application content and actual use.

Plan a compliant identity path in advance

Take control of the future

For those who genuinely wish to study, work, develop careers, or plan families in the U.S. long-term, this incident serves as a noteworthy reminder:

Rather than building long-term plans on temporary statuses, one should understand the existing legal framework for long-term residency in the U.S. early on, and establish a compliant and stable identity path to reserve space for future educational choices, career development, entrepreneurial arrangements, and family planning.

For this reason, the EB-5 investment immigration program has become one of the most closely watched compliant identity paths for families with long-term U.S. plans.

• Seize the no-queue window: Invest starting from $800,000 to quickly obtain U.S. green cards for the whole family. Under the new law, rural projects still enjoy the benefits of “no queue & priority processing.”

• Dual filing mechanism: For applicants within the U.S., the new policy allows simultaneous filing of I-526E (investment immigration application) and I-485 (adjustment of status application). Quickly obtain a Combo Card (work permit + re-entry permit) to enjoy green card benefits in advance, enabling legal work and free travel.

• Green cards for the whole family: One application allows the spouse and unmarried children under 21 to obtain green cards simultaneously.

• Flexible requirements: No requirements for education, language, age, or business background.

The '930' window is approaching, and identity planning enters a critical decision-making period

The EB-5 new policy's phased window is not permanent. As application volumes grow, quotas may gradually be consumed, and there is a possibility of entering a queue later. Additionally, grandfathering provisions will expire on September 30, and the minimum investment amount is expected to increase on January 1, 2027.