Washington says it has passed 6,000 visa cancellations over birth tourism, while November green card filing rules change for two categories of applicants.

Published 14 Nov 2026, 12:30 GMT

3 min read

Over 100 visas revoked as US embassy in West Africa shuts down birth tourism network

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The United States has revoked more than 6,000 visas held by foreigners who travelled to the country to give birth or who helped arrange such trips, its State Department said on Thursday, November 12.

"The Department of State's Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force has now revoked more than 6,000 visas from foreigners who engaged in or facilitated birth tourism. We are identifying and holding accountable everyone involved in this illicit practice," the department said in a post on X.

The figure has risen fast. The task force, created on August 12 to review visa holders' travel histories worldwide with the Department of Homeland Security, reported more than 600 revocations at its launch, and the department passed the 4,000 mark in an October 31 update.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio added visa restrictions in September for people who run or profit from commercial birth tourism networks, agents who coach applicants to lie and medical providers who help them. Certain family members may also be covered.

The department says it generally revokes visas where there are indications a holder may be ineligible, and that foreigners who misrepresent the purpose of their travel may be permanently ineligible for a US visa or entry.

It accuses facilitators of advertising births in the US, coaching clients to hide the real purpose of their trips and promising "automatic citizenship".

What the green card filing change means

Separately, November filing rules have shifted for two groups of green card applicants inside the United States: those waiting to file family-sponsored and employment-based applications to adjust status.

The change does not alter who qualifies for a green card. Applicants in Ghana with pending US petitions should check their priority date on the monthly visa bulletin and direct case questions to the US Embassy in Accra.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

US revokes more than 6,000 visas over birth tourism and changes green card filing

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