Texas Governor Targets Birth Tourism Schemes: ‘U.S. Citizenship Is Not For Sale’

Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order directing state agencies to investigate what he refers to as "unlawful birth tourism schemes" in Texas. He also charges agencies to hold any healthcare providers accountable for their involvement in such schemes.

Illegal Birth Tourism in Texas

According to a recent press release from Gov. Abbott's office, he addressed the notion of birth tourism. This term refers to the practice of entering a country without proper legal documentation for the sole purpose of delivering a child. This child would then have birth-right citizenship, allowing them to access healthcare and public school benefits.

Some parents will then leave the child in the country, later being sponsored in once the child is of age.

Gov. Abbott is issuing a zero-tolerance policy on any exploitation of the state's immigration laws:

This executive order directs state agencies to investigate birth tourism schemes, and hold accountable any provider that facilitates this fraud. U.S. citizenship is not for sale, and Texas will put a stop to individuals seeking to profit from birth tourism.

State Agencies Affected by This Order

Abbott's executive order is directed towards the following state agencies to investigate claims of illegal birth tourism schemes:

• Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
• Department of State Health Services
• HHSC Office of Inspector General
• Texas Medical Board
• Texas Board of Nursing
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

This executive order is in addition to the actions taken by Gov. Abbott on July 7 when he directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate instances of hospitals advertising "birth packages" to non-citizens.

You can view the full press release right here. You can also read every release from the Governor's office from their website.