Travel News

Birthing Tourism: Foreign Moms Using Travel To Gain American Citizenship For Newborns

Locations in this article:  Houston, TX Los Angeles, CA

Pregnant Moms Gain US Citizenship For Kids Via Birthing TourismSouthern California lawmakers called for immigration law improvements on Thursday after a business catering to “birthing tourism” was shut down earlier this month.

On March 8, officials closed down three townhouses in San Gabriel that were operating as maternity wards for foreign expectant mothers intent upon giving birth to their children in the United States.

For a fee, the mostly Chinese tourists would travel to the United States and receive accommodations and medical care until giving birth to babies with U.S. citizenship.

According to Californian officials, the three townhouses were housing 10 expectant mothers and seven newborns when the operation was discovered.

The manger of the property was fined $800 for illegal construction and failing to secure the proper building permits. The mothers have left the United States or are living in hotels.

Officials say that Southern California has become a hub for birthing tourism.

Southern California's Sunset Boulevard in Los AngelesIn many Asian nations, particularly China, wealthy expectant mothers come to the United States after paying for birthing travel packages some that include first-class airfare, shopping and sightseeing excursions, and a private room.

The mothers come to the United States legally with a tourism visa. There are no laws against coming into the United States while pregnant, or coming into the United States legally to give birth to a child with U.S. citizenship.

According to the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, any baby born in United States, with rare exceptions, has the right to citizenship.

Many women who come to the United States for birthing tourism do not come for immigration purposes, but rather to give their children an advantage when they return home.

Having U.S. citizenship makes it easier to enter American universities and to bypass heavy foreign student tuition fees.

By Adriana Padilla for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related Links: ReutersLos Angeles TimesHouston Chronicle

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