Pregnant women traveling to the United States could face tougher visa restrictions under proposals being considered by President Donald Trump's administration as officials step up efforts to curb what they describe as "birth tourism."
The move comes days after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an attempt by the administration to limit birthright citizenship, ruling that children born on American soil remain U.S. citizens regardless of their parents' immigration status.
According to reports, the White House is examining new measures that could make it harder for foreign nationals suspected of traveling to the United States primarily to give birth. The administration argues that some visitors abuse the immigration system to secure American citizenship for their children.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche described birth tourism as a "booming industry" and said the government would continue pursuing people who use fraudulent visa applications or other illegal methods to enter the country for childbirth.
The debate intensified after the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling reaffirmed the 14th Amendment's guarantee of birthright citizenship.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, concluded that the Constitution protects citizenship for people born in the United States and that such protections cannot be removed through executive action.
Immigration advocates welcomed the ruling, arguing that birthright citizenship is a long-standing constitutional principle. Critics of the current system, however, say it encourages some foreign nationals to travel to the United States shortly before giving birth.
While no final policy has been announced, the proposed visa restrictions have already sparked debate among immigration lawyers, civil rights groups and travel industry experts.
Any new rules could affect thousands of visa applicants worldwide, including those seeking short-term visits for tourism, business or family reasons.
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