Texas Gov.Greg Abbott on Tuesday took steps to crack down on the birth tourism industry in the state in an effort to curb the flow of pregnant women coming into the United States with the intention of giving birth so their child can automatically obtain American citizenship.An executive order signed by Abbott empowers state agencies to investigate birth tourism schemes within Texas’ healthcare industry and to take enforcement action against any licensed or regulated individual or entity found to be advertising, soliciting, assisting or providing unlawful birth tourism schemes."Texas will not tolerate the exploitation of our immigration laws by individuals traveling to the U.S.
illegally or under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their child," Abbott said in a statement."This executive order directs state agencies to investigate birth tourism schemes and hold accountable any provider that facilitates this fraud."BIRTH TOURISM CRACKDOWN EXPANDS AS HOUSE CHAIRMAN RAISES CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY CASEGov.
Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing in the State Capitol on April 23, 2025, in Austin, Texas.Abbott has signed an executive order to empower state agencies to combat birth tourism.
(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)"U.S.citizenship is not for sale, and Texas will put a stop to individuals seeking to profit from birth tourism," the governor added.Enforcement action includes revoking or suspending licenses, prohibiting participation in state contracts, denying state benefits, or pursuing other enforcement actions.The executive order builds on a previous directive from Abbott when he tasked the state Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) earlier this month to investigate Texas hospitals accused of advertising birth tourism packages.SEN ERIC SCHMITT SEEKS TO END BIRTH TOURISM, REVOKE CITIZENSHIP FOR BABIES OF FOREIGN DIPLOMATSA Spanish-language billboard promotes birth packages at Mission Regional Medical Center, advertising pricing for natural d...