Texas Governor Orders Investigation and Penalties for 'Birth Tourism'

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order directing state agencies to investigate and penalize illegal activities that promote "birth tourism." This practice refers to pregnant individuals traveling to the United States, often under false pretenses, to give birth and obtain U.S. citizenship for their children.

The order explicitly instructs state health and human services agencies to probe hospitals that have advertised "birth tourism" packages, particularly those targeting individuals in Mexico. Governor Abbott stated, "Texas will not tolerate the abuse of our immigration laws by individuals who travel to the United States illegally or under false pretenses to give birth and obtain citizenship for their children."

Abbott emphasized that U.S. citizenship is not for sale and vowed to end the practices of those seeking to profit from birth tourism. The executive order mandates that licensed healthcare providers who facilitate these practices will be held accountable. Penalties can include the revocation or suspension of licenses, exclusion from state contracts, and denial of state benefits, among other legal actions.

Furthermore, the order calls for Texas agencies to collaborate with federal authorities to combat this practice. Governor Abbott, a proponent of stricter immigration policies, has allocated a portion of the state budget to assist in controlling undocumented immigration, with this new directive being part of that broader effort.

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Texas will not tolerate the abuse of our immigration laws by individuals who travel to the United States illegally or under false pretenses to give birth and obtain citizenship for their children.