Chief of Staff Ambassador Lionel Hurst has linked a renewed advisory by the U.S. Embassy on birth tourism to broader American immigration policy changes, suggesting it reflects an extension of positions adopted under the former Trump administration.

Responding to a question during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Hurst stated:

_“So many citizens of our country will travel to the United States to have babies… this has been a practice that has been taking place for more than a century.”_

He cited the example of the late Sir Lester Bird and his mother, both of whom were born in New York, to illustrate the longstanding nature of the practice.

**_“The Honourable Lester Bird’s mother was birthed in New York and Lester Bird himself… was birthed in New York as well.”_**

Hurst noted that U.S. authorities appear to be taking a stricter stance:

“My understanding is that once the U.S. Embassy has learned that a woman has done this… if you’re pregnant and you apply for a U.S. visa they are likely to deny you, so that you don’t enter the United States for the purpose of giving birth.”*

He also offered a possible reason behind the advisory:

“I believe that the Trump administration has indicated that it’s going to challenge this constitutional guarantee. We don’t think that he’ll have much success, but nevertheless… the embassies of the United States are attempting to carry out the Trump policy.”*

While careful not to speak on behalf of the U.S. government, Hurst said:

*“I can draw some inferences and of course I share our views… I’m admitted to practice law in the United States in several jurisdictions and so I think I understand very well what is taking place.”*

The Cabinet did not announce any formal response to the advisory, and the matter was not listed among the official notes from the previous day’s meeting.