The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is investigating birth tourism in response to a directive issued by Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott directed state action to investigate one form of visa and immigration fraud, birth tourism, which he argues will likely expand after the Supreme Court’s 14th Amendment ruling.

Investigation and Referral

The commission has investigated birth tourism allegations and referred two facilities to the Office of Attorney General, Mission Regional Medical Center and Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco. The facilities are affiliated with the Prime Healthcare Foundation and were reportedly advertising “birth packages in south Texas” to women overseas.

A spokesperson for Mission Regional Medical Center acknowledged that its “marketing materials regarding maternity services are no longer in use due to any unintended misunderstanding.” The hospital intends to work cooperatively and transparently with local and state officials, focusing on delivering safe, high-quality care to every patient.

Governor’s Statement

Abbott stated that “U.S. citizenship is not for sale in Texas” and that the state will not tolerate the exploitation of its health care system as a pathway to skirt federal immigration laws. He argued that “birthright citizenship has become a powerful magnet for illegal immigration that will forever change our nation if left unaddressed. Automatic citizenship for children born to parents in the United States illegally or only temporarily is an absurdity that was never contemplated by our Constitution nor agreed to by the American people.”

The governor’s office is encouraging members of the public to report any birth tourism ads or potential immigration-related healthcare fraud to the HHSC Office of Inspector General and to the Department of Justice.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.