US targets Chinese birth‑tourism amid post‑court ruling crackdown

After the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s effort to deny citizenship to children born to non‑resident parents, the Justice Department announced that federal prosecutors will prioritize investigations of alleged "birth‑tourism" schemes, especially those involving pregnant Chinese women. Within hours, House Speaker Mike Johnson said congressional committees are drafting legislation to address foreign nationals entering the United States to give birth. DOJ memos cite recent convictions of individuals running such operations, including a couple sentenced to 41 months for charging Chinese clients thousands of dollars to facilitate deliveries in the United States. Data show the phenomenon is exceedingly rare – in 2023, only about 113 infants were born in the U.S. to mothers who were Chinese non‑residents. Nevertheless, the issue has spurred political rhetoric, with some Republicans warning that China could use birth‑tourism to expand its influence in America. The administration’s response includes scrutiny of “maternity hotels” in states such as California and Texas that allegedly help conceal pregnancies and secure tourist visas.