Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The US government’s latest crackdown on birth tourism has put Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an online crossfire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that “American citizenship is not for sale” while announcing that more than 600 visas had been revoked in just one month over birth tourism. Foreign nationals were being helped to travel to the US to give birth through elaborate birth tourism networks, which Rubio accused of exploiting immigration laws.
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“American citizenship is not for sale. But 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,” he added.
He stated that the State Department has established a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force to investigate such activity and identify people involved in facilitating it. According to the department, the task force examines visa holders’ activities and travel histories using information from the State Department, Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.
The State Department will use all available tools to dismantle birth tourism networks and defend the integrity of US citizenship,” Rubio wrote on X.
INTERNET POINTS TO TRUMP’S GOLD CARD
Rubio’s claim was quickly hit with a community note on X, which pointed to the Trump administration’s Gold Card programme. The ‘readers added context’ flagged that the US government has launched the Gold Card programme, under which foreign nationals can obtain US residency and a pathway to citizenship after making a $1 million to $2 million contribution. The context was accompanied by a copy of the Gold Card executive order.
The distinction is important.
The programme does not directly sell US citizenship. Instead, it offers a route towards permanent residency and eventual naturalisation for qualifying applicants.
WHAT IS BIRTH TOURISM?
The Trump administration defines birth tourism as travelling to the US on a non-immigrant visa specifically to give birth. An executive order issued by Trump on August 6 authorises the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to take action against people involved in the practice.
The US government says some operators advertise services that include visa coaching, accommodation and hospital arrangements. Officials have also cited cases involving travellers who concealed their real purpose for visiting the US. The campaign comes against the backdrop of the long-standing US principle of birthright citizenship.
The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, provides citizenship to people born or naturalised in the US and subject to its jurisdiction.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
