U.S. Warns Nigerians: Birth Tourism for U.S. Citizenship Is Not Permitted.

The United States Government has issued a stern warning to Nigerians planning to travel to the U.S. for the primary purpose of giving birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for their children. This practice, commonly referred to as “birth tourism,” is officially prohibited under U.S. immigration law.

In a statement released via its official X handle (formerly Twitter), the U.S. Mission in Nigeria emphasized that consular officers are under strict instruction to deny visa applications from pregnant women if it is suspected that their main intent is to give birth on American soil to secure automatic citizenship for their babies.

“Using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so that your child will have U.S. citizenship is not permitted,” the U.S. Mission stated.

The message continued, warning that such intent would lead to outright visa denial. The U.S. government urged Nigerian applicants to be truthful about their travel purposes and to understand that misrepresenting intentions violates immigration laws and could lead to visa bans.

The announcement has stirred conversations online, with many Nigerians debating the implications for women seeking better opportunities and citizenship for their children through foreign birth.