The Trump administration is imposing new visa rules, which take effect Friday, is aimed at restricting “birth tourism,” in which women travel to the United States to give birth so their children can have U.S. citizenship.
The regulations, address one of President Donald Trump’s main political priorities, seek to decrease the number of foreigners who attempt to take advantage of the “birthright citizenship” granted to anyone born in the United States.
Pregnant applicants will be denied for a tourist visa under the new rules UNLESS they can prove that they must come to the U.S. to give birth for medical reasons as well as have the money to pay for it— or have another convincing reason — not just coming to the states seeking for their child to have an American passport.
U.S. officials said that consular officers will not be asking all female visa applicants of childbearing age whether they are pregnant or intend to get pregnant.
However, the consular officers will ask the question only if in case they had a reason to believe the seeker is pregnant, likely, or planning to give birth in the U.S.
The officials pointed out that: "visual cues such as appearing to be pregnant or listing “medical treatment” as a reason for wanting to travel to the United States might trigger such questioning,"
"Even if a woman is found to be pregnant and likely to deliver her child in the United States, she could still be granted a visa if she was able to demonstrate a valid reason for the travel such a visiting an ailing relative or attending a business meeting or conference."
The officials stated that the rules will not apply to foreign travelers coming from any countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program— only on the applicants of “B” class visas that permit short-term stays for business or pleasure.
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