AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed an executive order directing multiple state agencies to investigate and crack down on what the state describes as unlawful birth tourism schemes operating in Texas.
The order instructs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, the HHSC Office of Inspector General, the Texas Medical Board, the Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to investigate allegations involving birth tourism within the state’s health care industry.
Abbott said Texas will not tolerate individuals or businesses that profit by helping people travel to the United States to give birth so their children can obtain U.S. citizenship.
“U.S. citizenship is not for sale, and Texas will put a stop to individuals seeking to profit from birth tourism,” Abbott said.
The order authorizes state agencies to pursue enforcement actions against licensed individuals or regulated businesses found to be advertising, facilitating or participating in birth tourism schemes. Potential penalties include license suspension or revocation, disqualification from state contracts, denial of state benefits and other actions allowed under Texas law.
State agencies are also directed to coordinate with federal authorities by sharing information and referring potential violations for prosecution.
The executive order follows Abbott’s July 7 directive for HHSC to investigate Texas hospitals advertising birth tourism packages. According to the governor’s office, HHSC has since referred two Texas hospitals to the Texas attorney general over allegations they promoted “birth packages” in Mexico.
Birth tourism refers to the practice of traveling to another country to give birth so a child acquires citizenship under that country’s laws. Abbott said the practice exploits immigration laws and should be stopped.
The governor encouraged anyone with information about suspected birth tourism schemes to report it to the HHSC Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Justice or the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office in Texas.
