United States authorities on March 3, Tuesday, swooped down on at least three dozen homes as part of a larger crackdown against maternity tourism that arrange pregnant women to give birth in the U.S. with the aim of becoming an American citizen.
A report by the Associated Press said that federal homeland security agents in California raided the houses as part of sweeping investigation against three suspected birth tourism rings that cater to mostly wealthy Chinese visitors. However, authorities said that people from other countries also operate maternity tourism.
Claude Arnold, special agent in charge for Immigration and Customs Enforcement's homeland security investigations in Los Angeles, was quoted as saying, "It is fertile ground for this kind of scheme. These people were told to lie, how to lie, so that their motives for coming to the U.S. wouldn't be questioned."
Dozens of Federal authorities, armed with search warrants, swooped down on houses in Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties to gather evidence of criminal activities. No arrest has been made by the authorities but said investigation is still on-going.
While U.S. laws does not prevent pregnant women from travelling to the U.S. and deliver their babies, they are not allowed to lie when asked their purpose of visit to the country when they apply for a visa.
A separate report by The Times of India said that at least one of the alleged maternity tourism operators was identified as You Win USA Vacation Resort, which entices women to go to the U.S. to give birth. The company reportedly charges women $50,000 for the services that includes lodging, food and transportation.
But not everybody is happy with the crackdown and criticizes the Feds for singling out Chinese women.
Dr. Jin-Jou Lu, a resident in an apartment complex in Irvine, California said there are other nationals who go to the U.S. to give birth to avail of the immediate citizenship.
"Come on, people go across the border to have a baby from Mexico all the time, so what's the problem?" Lu said.