The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting people who engage in or facilitate commercial ‘birth tourism’, adding to a series of immigration measures that have tightened scrutiny of foreigners seeking to enter the country.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the new policy on Wednesday, September 23, saying it would target individuals involved in commercial networks that arrange for foreign nationals to travel to the US to give birth and obtain citizenship for their children.

The restrictions will apply to people who knowingly engage in, have engaged in, or facilitate birth tourism under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, according to the State Department.

The U.S. will target owners, operators, and managers of commercial birth tourism networks, as well as visa ‘fixers’ who coach applicants to commit fraud during the visa application process.

📌 What You Need to Know

Foreign medical providers who knowingly facilitate birth tourism and the fraudulent use of the U.S. Medicaid system may also face the restrictions, alongside other individuals accused of supporting or enabling the schemes.

“Foreign commercial birth tourism networks have exploited the U.S. immigration system to sell U.S. citizenship for profit,” Rubio said, arguing that some networks charge tens of thousands of dollars and coach applicants to lie on their visa applications.

The new policy matters particularly to foreigners considering travel to the U.S., including Kenyans , as Washington tightens scrutiny of visa applications and alleged misuse of the immigration system.

At the same time, the State Department has also launched a new online platform through which members of the public can report suspected visa fraud or misuse, with the department saying information submitted will be reviewed for possible investigation and enforcement action.

The anonymous reporting system allows users to provide details including a suspected person's name, passport or visa number, nationality, address, phone number, social media profiles and information about the alleged fraud.

The U.S. government says the information may be shared with federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement agencies where necessary for investigations or referrals.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke