Miami – A federal task force chaired by Rep. Brandon Gill held a hearing Tuesday that placed Dr. Wladimir Lorentz, the chief medical officer of “Have My Baby in Miami,” at the center of the Trump administration’s crackdown on birth‑tourism. The House Oversight Committee’s Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses questioned the clinic’s practices after a review of its website, which advertised services to foreign expectant mothers seeking U.S. citizenship for their newborns.
Committee alleges exploitation of birthright citizenship
The committee’s release claims Lorentz’s business and similar providers are “explicitly marketing their maternity services to foreign expectant mothers who take advantage of the U.S. immigration system to give birth in the United States, which gives their child U.S. citizenship.” During the hearing, Rep. Gill displayed screenshots showing the site’s claim that “the dream of having a child in the United States is closer to reality than you ever imagined.”
Dr. Lorentz invokes Fifth Amendment
When asked to confirm ownership of the website, Dr. Lorentz declined to answer, invoking his Fifth Amendment right on the advice of counsel. His attorney later issued a statement emphasizing that the invocation is a constitutional protection, not an admission of wrongdoing, and that Lorentz has not been charged with any crime.
Trump administration’s broader effort
The hearing is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to curb birth‑tourism, which it defines as individuals entering the United States on a nonimmigrant visa solely to give birth on American soil. President Trump has issued executive orders aimed at ending automatic citizenship for children born to those who are in the country illegally or temporarily. Although a June Supreme Court decision struck down an earlier order, a more narrowly tailored order was issued in August, targeting children born to adults with ties to foreign embassies, “alien enemies,” or those who purchase access to birthright citizenship. That order was temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
Legal context and expert commentary
Attorney Wilfredo Allen explained that a child born in the United States to a tourist does not automatically grant immigration benefits to the parents. The child would need to reach age 21, establish residency, and then petition for the parents. Allen added that while businesses advertising maternity services to overseas clients may be operating within the law, they are encouraging an illegal purpose.
Impact on the local community
The investigation has drawn attention to Miami’s role as a hub for international medical tourism. Local families and faith‑based groups have expressed concern that the practice undermines the integrity of U.S. citizenship and places a burden on public resources. The Trump administration continues to emphasize the need for strong constitutional protections and parental‑rights safeguards in immigration policy.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
