The White House issued an executive order on Aug. 6, 2026, aimed at dismantling birth tourism, a practice involving foreign nationals using nonimmigrant visas to give birth in the United States to secure citizenship for their children. The order defines birth tourism as the entry of any foreign national into the country via a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of childbirth or any effort to facilitate such travel.
The administration characterized the practice as an attempt to turn citizenship into a commodity through the calculated exploitation of immigration laws. According to the order, birth tourism operators use deceptive advertisements to entice foreign nationals with promises of citizenship and access to public benefits. These operators allegedly coach clients to misrepresent their travel intentions to consular and border officials to secure visas intended for tourism, study, or temporary employment.
The executive order asserts that these schemes undermine the integrity of the immigration system, divert essential consular and enforcement resources from legitimate visa applicants, and impact national security. The document further claims that the practice erodes public confidence in the enforcement of immigration laws.
The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security have been delegated the authority to implement the new policy. Enforcement measures may include denying visas, revoking existing travel authorizations, and permanently barring individuals who attempt to engage in birth tourism. The order also authorizes actions against organizations and individuals, both domestic and international, that are found to be facilitating these activities.
While the order introduces stricter enforcement, it provides a mechanism for exceptions. The Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security may grant exemptions to foreign nationals based on humanitarian grounds or when an individual’s entry is determined to be in the national interest.
