Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order on Tuesday aimed at curbing birth tourism in Texas, a practice where pregnant women travel to the United States to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.
The order empowers state agencies to investigate any scheme that advertises, solicits, assists, or provides unlawful birth tourism services, and to pursue enforcement actions against individuals or entities involved.
Potential penalties include revoking or suspending professional licenses, barring participation in state contracts, denying state benefits, and other appropriate enforcement measures.
This directive builds on an earlier mandate that assigned the Health and Human Services Commission the task of examining hospitals accused of promoting birth tourism packages.
Mission Regional Medical Center, located near the U.S.-Mexico border, was reported to have displayed Spanish-language advertisements for “Birth Packages” on billboards in Mexico, offering natural deliveries starting at $3,950 and C‑section deliveries at $5,525.
The hospital later confirmed that the marketing materials were discontinued and affirmed its commitment to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Opponents of birthright citizenship cite birth tourism as a significant loophole, while federal authorities have tightened visa rules, granting consular officers the authority to deny visas when the primary intent appears to be childbirth.
Governor Abbott reiterated that U.S. citizenship is not for sale and pledged that Texas will take decisive action to halt individuals seeking profit from birth tourism.
