The U.S. Mission in Uganda has implemented stricter visa policies aimed at curbing the practice of “birth tourism,” where expectant mothers travel to the United States to give birth, securing U.S. citizenship for their children under the country’s birthright citizenship laws.
The U.S. Embassy in Kampala is now denying visa applications if consular officers suspect the primary intent is to exploit birth tourism.
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Expectant mothers must now provide compelling evidence of legitimate travel purposes, such as medical necessity or financial independence, to secure a U.S. visa.
This move aligns with a 2020 State Department directive, reinforced under the current Trump administration, to address what officials describe as an abuse of the immigration system.
Data from a 2018 Center for Immigration Studies report estimates that approximately 20,000 birth tourism cases occur annually in the U.S., costing taxpayers around $250 million.
However, the report’s methodology has faced criticism for lacking peer-reviewed validation, and some experts argue it overlooks the legal protections afforded by the 14th Amendment.
The policy shift follows heightened scrutiny on countries including Uganda, China, Russia, Nigeria, and Iran.
