USA
In the latest immigration control measure, the United States said Thursday it would no longer issue temporary visitor visas to pregnant women seeking to enter the country for so-called “birth tourism.”
In announcing the rule change, which takes effect Friday, the White House said foreigners were using the visas “to secure automatic and permanent American citizenship for their children by giving birth on American soil.”
“The integrity of American citizenship must be protected,” it said in a statement.
Calling the practice “a glaring immigration loophole,” the White House argued the crackdown on “birth tourism” was for public safety and national security as well as immigration control.
“The birth tourism industry threatens to overburden valuable hospital resources and is rife with criminal activity, as reflected in federal prosecution.”
The US constitution guarantees automatic American citizenship to anyone born on US soil.
US President Donald Trump has made restricting immigration a top priority of his administration, and has threatened in the past to abolish birthright citizenship.
AFP
01:55
US contractors say colleagues fired live ammunition at Palestinians seeking food
01:11
US pauses military aid to Ukraine over depleted weapons stockpile
Go to video
’Black Empowerment’ law stalls Elon Musk's $113 million investment in SA
Go to video
Looming funding shortfall could reverse global progress against AIDS, warns UNAIDS chief
01:12
Medgar Evers remembered as political violence rises in America
01:23
USAID officially shuts doors, American government announces