The Trump administration is intensifying its immigration enforcement by targeting Nigerians who travel to the U.S. for the purpose of securing birthright citizenship for their children.
According to the U.S. Department of State, using a tourist visa solely to give birth in the United States — a practice commonly referred to as “birth tourism” — constitutes visa fraud. Violators face immediate denial of entry and potential ineligibility for future visas.
The crackdown comes amid President Donald Trump’s renewed push during his second term to end automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents. Though birthright citizenship is currently protected under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Trump recently signed an executive order requiring that at least one parent be a U.S. citizen or legal resident for a child to obtain citizenship.
Nigerians Among Top Birth Tourism Participants
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Nigeria ranks among the top countries where citizens seek U.S. birthright citizenship for their children, according to data cited by Business Insider Africa. U.S. consular officials have been instructed to closely examine the intent of Nigerian visa applicants. If officials suspect that an applicant is planning to give birth in the U.S. to secure citizenship for their child, the application may be denied.
“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,” read a recent warning from the U.S. Mission Nigeria, posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”
New Visa Rules for Nigerian Citizens
In a broader effort to restrict immigration, the Trump administration has also revised visa policies for Nigerians. Nigerian travelers in non-immigrant and non-diplomatic categories are now eligible only for a single-entry visa valid for three months, replacing the previous five-year multiple-entry visa.
This policy change follows Trump’s directive banning entry from 12 countries — seven of which are in Africa — regardless of the purpose of travel. Critics have noted that all 12 nations targeted are predominantly made up of people of color, raising concerns about racial and regional bias in the administration’s immigration policies.