The US State Department has revoked more than 600 visas from foreign nationals in one month as part of action against birth tourism, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
The State Department has established a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force to review the activities of visa holders, dismantle illegal birth tourism networks and prevent abuse of US laws.
“American citizenship is not for sale,” Rubio said.
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According to Rubio, birth tourism networks were coaching foreigners to defraud the US visa system, arranging travel and housing, and forging documents to enable foreign nationals to obtain citizenship for their children.
“The State Department established a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force to review the activity of visa holders, dismantle illegal birth tourism networks, and put an end to this heinous abuse of our nation's laws,” he said.
In its first month, the task force has taken action to revoke more than 600 visas from foreign nationals across the world.
“In just one month, the Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force has taken action to revoke more than 600 visas from foreign nationals across the globe and will continue to safeguard our nation from this abuse,” Rubio said.
The secretary of state added that the department would use all available tools to dismantle birth tourism networks and protect the integrity of US citizenship.
“The State Department will use all available tools to dismantle birth tourism networks and defend the integrity of U.S. citizenship.”
