A House task force chair has warned that companies assisting foreign nationals in traveling to the United States to give birth may be participating in a criminal conspiracy.
The Oversight Committee’s task force has issued subpoenas to several firms that market “birth tourism” services, seeking records and communications related to their operations.
Current immigration law prohibits entry into the United States primarily for the purpose of giving birth, and State Department regulations deny visitor visas when officials determine that intent.
The investigation intensified after a billboard in Mission, Texas advertised low‑cost childbirth services in Spanish, featuring an international dialing code and a website that is no longer active.
The advertisement listed delivery fees of $3,950 and Caesarean‑section fees of $5,525, prompting concerns about organized promotion of birth tourism.
Hospital officials said the marketing campaign was limited, quickly discontinued, and generated minimal patient volume, noting that the facility remains a nonprofit institution serving the local community.
Representatives of the hospital affirmed compliance with all applicable laws and denied any intent to attract individuals for unlawful citizenship purposes.
The task force is also examining similar operations in other states, including a business based in Miami, and has requested documentation from multiple companies nationwide.
Chairman Gill described birth tourism as a clear abuse of the immigration system and of public resources, arguing that it contradicts the original purpose of birthright citizenship established after the Fourteenth Amendment.
He linked the practice to broader concerns about illegal immigration, including impacts on housing, employment, and welfare programs funded by American taxpayers.
Legislators have introduced a bill to clarify citizenship rules, referencing historical Supreme Court precedent and prior executive orders that labeled the immigration crisis an invasion.
Gill expressed support for the proposed legislation, calling it a “phenomenal” step toward protecting the birthright of American children.
The committee frames the issue as a national security and economic risk, emphasizing the potential strain on public services and the integrity of immigration law.
A congressional leader highlighted that misrepresenting travel intentions on visa applications constitutes a violation of immigration statutes.
The recent Supreme Court decision on a related executive order left open the possibility for congressional action, which lawmakers intend to pursue to restrict birthright citizenship abuses.
