By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Politics with the Big Dogs.

A shocking discovery has been made in South Texas, where hospitals have been actively soliciting ‘anchor babies’ with billboards and websites, raising concerns about birthright citizenship and the exploitation of the US healthcare system. This practice has been happening for at least five years, sparking outrage and calls for investigation.

Background on Birth Tourism

Birth tourism, also known as ‘birthright citizenship,’ refers to the practice of giving birth in a country to obtain citizenship for the child. In the United States, the 14th Amendment to the Constitution grants citizenship to anyone born on American soil, regardless of the parents’ immigration status. While this amendment was intended to ensure that former slaves and their children would be granted citizenship after the Civil War, it has been interpreted to apply to anyone born in the United States, including children of undocumented immigrants.

According to host Anthony Holm of Politics with the Big Dogs, hospitals in the Valley region of South Texas have been targeting expectant mothers in Mexico and other countries with advertisements and discounted birth packages. The website ‘havemybabyintexas.com’ was taken down after it was exposed by Tony Ortiz of Current Revolt, but not before it was captured and verified by the show’s team.

Implications for Texas and the Country

The implications of this practice are far-reaching and have sparked concern among lawmakers and citizens alike. Governor Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate the practice and refer any instances of illegal conduct to the attorney general’s office. As Anthony Holm notes, ‘It’s just incredible that this has been happening for five years, right under everybody’s nose, and no one has done anything about it.’

The issue of birthright citizenship has been a contentious one, with some arguing that it is a magnet for illegal immigration and others seeing it as a fundamental right. The US Supreme Court has weighed in on the issue, with Chief Justice John Roberts delivering a decision that has been criticized by some as too broad. As Clarence Thomas wrote in his dissent, ‘Citizens were not the people who were temporarily passing through a territory or who happened to be born within it. Citizens were the permanent members of the body politic, those who had roots in a place and called it home, and who would, if necessary, go to war to defend it.’

Conclusion

The discovery of birth tourism in South Texas has raised important questions about citizenship, healthcare, and the rule of law. As the investigation into this practice continues, it is clear that the issue will have far-reaching implications for the state of Texas and the country as a whole. As Anthony Holm notes, ‘We need to hold everybody’s feet to the fire and make sure that our laws are being enforced.’

The full episode of Politics with the Big Dogs is available on OBBM Network TV.

Watch Politics with the Big Dogs on OBBM Network TV: https://media.obbmnetwork.tv/embed/tv.html#series/politics-with-the-big-dogs