The White House and the State Department declined to provide examples of security threats linked to birth tourism, data about birth tourism or information about its financial impact. ADIt is unclear exactly how consular officials will determine whether a woman applying for a visa intends to travel to the United States to give birth. The State Department official said that the new rule does not bar all pregnant women from obtaining tourist visas; a pregnant woman traveling for a different purpose, for example, to visit a sick relative, “can still be issued a visa,” the official said. ADA CBP spokesman said the State Department rule will not change the way CBP operates. Acting ICE director Matthew Albence praised the “birth tourism” regulation Thursday as “good sense” and another way to ensure that visitors are not exploiting U.S. law to claim citizenship for their children.

Source: Washington Post January 23, 2020 23:05 UTC