Ending Birth Tourism

What it does

• •Defines 'birth tourism' as foreign nationals entering the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas for the purpose of giving birth, or facilitating such entry.
• •Authorizes the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security to deny visas, revoke travel authorization, permanently bar entry, and remove aliens engaged in or attempting birth tourism.
• •Directs executive departments to provide records and information to implement the order's terms.
• •Allows exemptions on humanitarian grounds or when entry is determined to be in the national interest.

Why it matters

• •The order targets what it characterizes as exploitation of nonimmigrant visa categories to obtain permanent immigration benefits (citizenship for children and potentially parents) through temporary admission.
• •It addresses what the document describes as deceptive recruitment and coaching of visa applicants by birth tourism operators, and diverts consular resources from legitimate visa processing.

Who is affected

• •Foreign nationals seeking entry to the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas for purposes of giving birth.
• •Entities, organizations, and individuals within or outside the U.S. that facilitate or enable birth tourism.
• •The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, who implement enforcement actions.

What happens next

The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall update rules, policies, and operational guidance as necessary to implement enforcement mechanisms defined in the order.