Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order Tuesday directing state agencies to investigate and punish birth tourism operations that help foreign nationals travel to the United States to give birth so their children can obtain American citizenship.
The order authorizes agencies to investigate licensed or regulated individuals and businesses accused of advertising, soliciting, assisting, or providing unlawful birth tourism services.
“Texas will not tolerate the exploitation of our immigration laws by individuals traveling to the U.S. illegally or under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their child,” Abbott said.
“This executive order directs state agencies to investigate birth tourism schemes and hold accountable any provider that facilitates this fraud.”
Abbott Says Citizenship Is ‘Not for Sale’
The governor said Texas would target businesses and healthcare providers that profit from helping foreign nationals exploit U.S. citizenship laws.
“U.S. citizenship is not for sale, and Texas will put a stop to individuals seeking to profit from birth tourism,” Abbott said.
Possible enforcement actions include suspending or revoking professional licenses, barring companies from state contracts, denying state benefits, and pursuing additional penalties.
The order expands on an earlier directive Abbott issued to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate hospitals accused of promoting birth tourism packages.
Hospital Advertised Birth Packages in Mexico
Mission Regional Medical Center previously confirmed that it advertised Spanish-language “Birth Packages in South Texas” on billboards in Mexico.
The advertisements promoted childbirth services to pregnant foreign nationals living near the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to the hospital’s marketing materials, delivery packages started at $3,950 for a natural birth and $5,525 for a cesarean section.
The hospital later said it had stopped using the advertisements.
“The marketing materials regarding maternity services are no longer in use due to any unintended misunderstanding,” a hospital spokesperson said.
“We do not support or facilitate any unlawful activity and work to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.”
Federal Government Has Also Targeted Birth Tourism
Critics of birthright citizenship have long identified birth tourism as a loophole that allows foreign nationals to secure American citizenship for their children by giving birth on U.S. soil.
The State Department has also taken steps to limit the practice by amending visitor visa rules and allowing consular officers to deny applications when they believe an applicant’s primary purpose is to give birth in the United States.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly described birth tourism as an abuse of the immigration system and a magnet for illegal immigration.
Abbott’s executive order now gives Texas agencies broader authority to investigate providers accused of facilitating the practice and to impose penalties on those found to be participating in unlawful schemes.
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