In a bid to combat “birth tourism,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the creation of a State Department task force. This comes amid US president Donald Trump seeking to end “birthright citizenship,” which gives US citizenship to anyone born on US soil.&nbsp;The US State Department in a statement released on Wednesday said that to "ensure nonimmigrant visas are used only for their lawful and intended purposes, and prevent their exploitation through birth tourism," it is establishing a new "birth tourism", prevention task force.&nbsp;<h2>What is the role of the task force?</h2>&nbsp;<ul><li>It will “review the activities of visa holders worldwide to identify instances of birth tourism, take action to revoke visas of those who engage in or facilitate it, and dismantle the networks that profit from this abuse”</li><li>The task force will analyse and connect information held across the Department and other federal agencies, including the DHS</li><li>Travel histories of individuals from all around the world will be examined</li><li>Notably more than 600 visas from foreign nationals across the globe has been revoked by the task force in past month</li></ul>&nbsp;Rubio in his statement said &nbsp;"Elaborate birth tourism rings are profiting off the exploitation of America's laws- coaching foreigners to defraud the US visa system, arranging travel and housing, and even forging documents, all to enable foreign nationals to obtain citizenship for their children."&nbsp;“The State Department will 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 added.&nbsp;The US administration has fought unsuccessfully in courts to end “birth tourism,” a word Trump administration phrase for foreign women coming to the United States with the intention of giving birth to a child on US soil in order to secure their child’s American citizenship.

The task force will “review the activities of visa holders worldwide to identify instances of birth tourism, take action to revoke visas of those who engage in or facilitate it, and dismantle the networks that profit from this abuse”.

In a bid to combat “birth tourism,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the creation of a State Department task force. This comes amid US president Donald Trump seeking to end “birthright citizenship,” which gives US citizenship to anyone born on US soil. The US State Department in a statement released on Wednesday said that to "ensure nonimmigrant visas are used only for their lawful and intended purposes, and prevent their exploitation through birth tourism," it is establishing a new "birth tourism", prevention task force. What is the role of the task force? It will “review the activities of visa holders worldwide to identify instances of birth tourism, take action to revoke visas of those who engage in or facilitate it, and dismantle the networks that profit from this abuse” The task force will analyse and connect information held across the Department and other federal agencies, including the DHS Travel histories of individuals from all around the world will be examined Notably more than 600 visas from foreign nationals across the globe has been revoked by the task force in past month Rubio in his statement said "Elaborate birth tourism rings are profiting off the exploitation of America's laws- coaching foreigners to defraud the US visa system, arranging travel and housing, and even forging documents, all to enable foreign nationals to obtain citizenship for their children." “The State Department will 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 added. The US administration has fought unsuccessfully in courts to end “birth tourism,” a word Trump administration phrase for foreign women coming to the United States with the intention of giving birth to a child on US soil in order to secure their child’s American citizenship.

The task force will “review the activities of visa holders worldwide to identify instances of birth tourism, take action to revoke visas of those who engage in or facilitate it, and dismantle the networks that profit from this abuse”.

Rubio sets up task force to combat ‘birth tourism’, 600 visas revoked

The United States administration has adopted a controversial and strict visa policy. This new visa restriction aims at restricting what is described as "birth tourism". Watch report:

US acts against Birth Tourism

Donald Trump administration has adopted a strict visa policy ever since taking charge.And now the US government is set to announce new visa restrictions aimed at restricting 'birth tourism'.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/birthright-citizenship-has-created-an-entire-industry-called-birth-tourism-says-trump-at-election-rally-175102">Also read: Birthright citizenship has created an entire industry, called birth tourism, says Trump at election rally</a>

In what is referred to as birth tourism pregnant women apparently travel to the US&nbsp;to give birth so their children can have the coveted US&nbsp;passport.

As per the US constitution, a child born in the united states is a naturalized US citizen and hence eligible for a US&nbsp;passport irrespective of her parents' origin country.

Under the new visa laws, pregnant women applying for a visa will be treated like other foreigners coming to the US&nbsp;for medical treatment.

The applicants will have to prove they are coming for medical treatment and also have the money to pay for it.The US state department will be publicising the rules today. And the new rules will take effect from Friday.

A spokesperson from the state department said that the draft rule is intended to address national security and law enforcement risks associated with birth tourism.The practice of coming to the united states to give birth will remain fundamentally legal.

In the past, though there have been scattered cases of birth tourism operatives being arrested for visa fraud or tax evasion.President Trump is known to be skeptic about the US&nbsp;birth-right citizenship.

He has often railed against the practice and even threatened to end it.Regulating tourist visas for pregnant women is one way for Trump to get at the issue.

Donald Trump administration has adopted a strict visa policy ever since taking charge.And now the US government is set to announce new visa restrictions aimed at restricting 'birth tourism'.

Donald Trump administration has adopted a strict visa policy ever since taking charge.And now the US government is set to announce new visa restrictions aimed at restricting 'birth tourism'. Also read: Birthright citizenship has created an entire industry, called birth tourism, says Trump at election rally In what is referred to as birth tourism pregnant women apparently travel to the US to give birth so their children can have the coveted US passport. As per the US constitution, a child born in the united states is a naturalized US citizen and hence eligible for a US passport irrespective of her parents' origin country. Under the new visa laws, pregnant women applying for a visa will be treated like other foreigners coming to the US for medical treatment. The applicants will have to prove they are coming for medical treatment and also have the money to pay for it.The US state department will be publicising the rules today. And the new rules will take effect from Friday. A spokesperson from the state department said that the draft rule is intended to address national security and law enforcement risks associated with birth tourism.The practice of coming to the united states to give birth will remain fundamentally legal. In the past, though there have been scattered cases of birth tourism operatives being arrested for visa fraud or tax evasion.President Trump is known to be skeptic about the US birth-right citizenship. He has often railed against the practice and even threatened to end it.Regulating tourist visas for pregnant women is one way for Trump to get at the issue.

No more birth tourism: US to impose visa restrictions on pregnant women

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-warns-citizens-over-outbreak-of-pneumonia-in-chinas-wuhan-274468">US State department</a> will change visa guidelines regarding ''birth tourism'', whereby&nbsp;foreign nationals give birth in the country to gain American citizenship.

The new rule will aim&nbsp;at cracking down ''birth tourism'' and curbing the increment in birth tourists flocking to the country.

The rule will be applied ''shortly''.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-warns-citizens-over-outbreak-of-pneumonia-in-chinas-wuhan-274468">US State Department warns citizens over outbreak of pneumonia in China's Wuhan</a>

This change is intended to address the national security and law enforcement risks associated with birth tourism, including criminal activity associated with the birth tourism industry.

According to an official of the State Department, ''foreigners take advantage of the protection of citizenship stated in the 14th Amendment of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kem-chho-trump-us-president-to-visit-ahmedabad-delhi-in-february-275056">US </a>Constitution which provides birthright citizenship to babies born in&nbsp;the country''.

<h6><img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="581e9f7e-38a2-4706-b291-0e33d5ed7fed" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/101712-untitled-design-10.jpg" /> 
Image credit: Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

The new regulation will change the requirements for visitor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-rebuffs-russia-accusation-that-united-states-visa-delays-being-ignored-270524">visas</a> (B visas).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-rebuffs-russia-accusation-that-united-states-visa-delays-being-ignored-270524">United Nations rebuffs Russia accusation that United States visa delays being ignored</a>

It will give State Department officials the authority to decline the requests of foreigners for short-term tourism and business visas if they think that it is being utilized to attain automatic citizenship.

Interestingly, a Hong Kong airliner had asked a woman to take a pregnancy test to prove that she was not pregnant before she boarded the flight. The flight was bound to Saipan, a US Pacific island.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-airlines-apologies-for-the-unconvinced-caused-to-the-women-274863">Hong Kong Express Airways apologises to woman for pregnancy test</a>

The airline had stated that it did so to prevent the violation of US immigration laws.&nbsp;

In July, a resolution was passed in the US House of Representatives to keep a check on those trying to capitalize on the birthright citizenship 
&nbsp;

The US State department will change visa guidelines regarding ''birth tourism'', whereby foreign nationals give birth in the country to gain American citizenship.

The US State department will change visa guidelines regarding ''birth tourism'', whereby foreign nationals give birth in the country to gain American citizenship. The new rule will aim at cracking down ''birth tourism'' and curbing the increment in birth tourists flocking to the country. The rule will be applied ''shortly''. Also read: US State Department warns citizens over outbreak of pneumonia in China's Wuhan This change is intended to address the national security and law enforcement risks associated with birth tourism, including criminal activity associated with the birth tourism industry. According to an official of the State Department, ''foreigners take advantage of the protection of citizenship stated in the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution which provides birthright citizenship to babies born in the country''. Image credit: Reuters The new regulation will change the requirements for visitor visas (B visas). Also read: United Nations rebuffs Russia accusation that United States visa delays being ignored It will give State Department officials the authority to decline the requests of foreigners for short-term tourism and business visas if they think that it is being utilized to attain automatic citizenship. Interestingly, a Hong Kong airliner had asked a woman to take a pregnancy test to prove that she was not pregnant before she boarded the flight. The flight was bound to Saipan, a US Pacific island. Also read: Hong Kong Express Airways apologises to woman for pregnancy test The airline had stated that it did so to prevent the violation of US immigration laws. In July, a resolution was passed in the US House of Representatives to keep a check on those trying to capitalize on the birthright citizenship

Trump administration to alter visa guidelines in a bid to curb 'birth tourism'

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