The United States has cautioned Nigerians against traveling to the country with the primary intent of giving birth, a practice known as birthright citizenship. 

The warning came from the US mission in Nigeria, which said, "using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so that your child will have a US citizenship is not permitted. Consular officers will deny your visa if they believe this is your intent."

The move comes as Washington tightens immigration controls under President Donald Trump's second term. 

I found out about birthright Citizenship in the US is a constitutional right protected by the 14th Amendment. Anyone born on US soil, including US territories, is automatically granted citizenship regardless of their parents immigration status. 

This includes children of non citizens, undocumented immigrants, visa holders, and even tourists giving rise to the practice known as birth tourism. 

Earlier this year, President Trump signed an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. He said at least one parent must be a citizen or legal resident for a baby to receive citizenship. A recent Supreme Court decision cleared the path for that order to take effect, even as legal challenges continue in lower courts. 

But critics argue that the order violates the Constitution and that ending birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment, not just an executive order.

Meanwhile, Washington's targeted warning to Nigeria is significant. As per reports, the country ranks fourth globally for birth tourism, with an estimated 33,000 Nigerian women traveling to the US annually to give birth. 

US authorities are urging Nigerians to follow visa rules, warning that fraud or misrepresentation could lead to sanctions, deportation or entry bans. The warning comes amid a wider immigration crackdown targeting African nations. The Trump administration has imposed travel bans, restricted visa interview waivers, increased visa fees and expanded social media screening for applicants. 

Earlier this month, Washington announced that temporary stay visas for Nigerians will now be limited to just three months. This falls under an updated, reciprocal non immigrant visa policy, replacing the longer multiple entry visas that were previously available. 

Additionally Trump's big, beautiful Bill imposes a $250 visa integrity fee on Nigerian nationals and other foreigners seeking entry into the US. Now this is on top of the standard visa fee, which already costs over $160 in Nigeria. 

Meanwhile, Nigeria is reportedly among 36 countries facing potential expanded travel restrictions under the Trump administration. The current travel ban includes 12 nations, including seven from Africa, with visa rules tightening and birth tourism under watch, Nigeria finds itself in Washington's line of fire once again.