Prominent Nigerian law firm Banwo & Ighodalo has issued a public disclaimer after a fabricated immigration alert targeting Nigerians with US-born children went viral on social media. The misleading message, falsely attributed to the firm, caused widespread concern among visa holders amid ongoing discussions on US “birth tourism” policies.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
The disclaimer, posted on the firm’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, @BanwoIghodalo, late Saturday, categorically stated that the circulating advisory titled “USA VISA ALERT FOR YOU (IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD A CHILD BORN IN THE USA)” did not originate from the firm and does not reflect its professional advice, opinion, or communication style.
“We confirm that Dr. Ope Banwo is not affiliated with our firm in any capacity,” the statement added, noting that the name bears only coincidental similarity to the firm’s partner, Mr. Femi Olubanwo. “The similarity in names… is merely coincidental.”
Banwo & Ighodalo, which has offices in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, urged the public to disregard the alert and to rely only on verified information via its official website, www.banwo-ighodalo.com, or through direct firm channels.
Banwo & Ighodalo Refutes Fabricated US Visa Advisory, Distances Itself From Hoax MessageThe false alert first appeared on Facebook on October 16, 2025, in the “USA Visa Alert” group (ID: 2551940965066681) and was later shared on the page of “Slanky Bowlar 4lyf Diary of a Sophisticated Secretary.” It purported to recount real-life visa revocations at the US Embassy in Lagos, involving high-profile Nigerians whose spouses gave birth in the US years earlier.
While the post claimed firsthand experience, a separate X account belonging to the real Dr. Ope Banwo (@opebanwo), an attorney specializing in digital business and immigration, shows no activity matching the content, suggesting the message is entirely fabricated.
The hoax plays on genuine US immigration concerns regarding “birth tourism,” where non-citizens travel to the US to give birth for citizenship benefits. In January 2020, the US State Department explicitly prohibited such use of visas.
Recent reports, including a July 2025 advisory highlighted by Hindustan Times, caution that consular officers may deny visas if birth tourism is suspected, though no official crackdown on historical cases has been announced.
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