The U.S. Embassy in Freetown has issued a direct warning to Sierra Leonean citizens against attempting to travel to the United States with the primary intent of giving birth there to secure U.S. citizenship for their child.

The embassy explicitly stated that such an intent would lead to the denial of visa applications.

In a recent communication, the U.S. Embassy clarified its stance, stating, “Using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so that your child will have U.S. citizenship is not permitted. Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent.”

This warning comes amidst a series of recent updates and advisories from the U.S. government regarding non-immigrant visas and immigration enforcement. Effective May 9, 2025, the United States Department of State implemented a revised fee schedule for non-immigrant visa applications, impacting a wide range of categories including the commonly used B-1/B-2 visitor visas. The fee for B-1/B-2 visitor visas, often sought for tourism or business, is now $185.

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The embassy’s latest caution builds on earlier warnings concerning misrepresentation and fraudulent documents. On April 8, 2025, the U.S. government highlighted the severe consequences of providing false information or fake documents, emphasizing that such actions could result in a permanent ban from entering the United States. Consular officers, the embassy noted, have access to an individual’s full immigration history, making it difficult to evade penalties for past violations.

Furthermore, U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan D. Hunt previously underscored the U.S. government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws. In an op-ed published on April 7, 2025, Ambassador Hunt advised individuals with family or friends residing illegally in the U.S. to urge their return home, dispelling notions of undetected entry. He cited significant decreases in illegal border crossings and a surge in arrests of undocumented immigrants within the U.S.

Ambassador Hunt’s warning also detailed potential penalties for immigration violations, including three-year or ten-year re-entry bans for overstaying a visa, and even permanent lifetime bans for repeat or serious offenses.

The U.S. Embassy’s current advisory specifically targeting “birth tourism” reinforces the stricter enforcement of U.S. immigration policies and aims to deter individuals from using non-immigrant visas for purposes other than those for which they are intended.